Terrestrial wildlife risk assessment for TCDD in land-applied pulp and paper mill sludge
- Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
- Abt Associates, Bethesda, MD (United States)
A risk assessment was performed to evaluate the potential effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in land-applied pulp and paper mill sludge on terrestrial wildlife. Three representative bird and mammal species were assessed for potential individual risk of adverse effects. A dietary model was used to estimate TCDD exposures of adult birds and mammals, and a pharmacokinetic model was used to estimate exposure for avian embryos. Using the quotient method, modeled exposure levels were compared to published no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) for birds and mammals to calculate risk. Monte Carlo analysis was used to consider the variability and uncertainty in the risk estimates. The results suggest that TCDD in land-applied pulp and paper sludge may pose significant individual risks to terrestrial wildlife under certain circumstances. Shrews were found to be most at risk due to their high consumption rate of food items that are expected to bioconcentrate the TCDD from soil at the application sites. Of all possible pathways, only dietary exposure was considered in this investigation. The analysis centered on parameter uncertainty and does not include an assessment of alternative models, although this could be a significant source of uncertainty.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 556527
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 16; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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