Ecotoxicology and pollution—Key issues

The following key issues in ecotoxicology, the integration of ecology and toxicology, are discussed: standardized tests and tests of specific hypotheses; future needs relative to ‘benchmarks’; exposure routes and reference comparisons; reproductive effects (e.g. for endocrine-disruptive chemicals) and non-standard data analyses; ‘acceptable’ variability; appropriate use of end-points (e.g. NOECs), biomarkers and bioindicators; external concentration effect vs internal dose response; setting testable hypotheses; integration and/or tiering with chemistry, physical and other variables; ‘validation’ vs proactivity. Ecotoxicology is proactive (e.g. directed testing, resulting in testable hypotheses) as opposed to reactive, the initial impetus for toxicology (determining the causes of observed effects). Ecotoxicology and policy must be integrated if the environment is to be protected.