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Home  >  public/workshops/workshopsworking       NORMAN WORKING GROUPS January 2009 Prioritisation of emerging substances The list of emerging substances defined by NORMAN is rather extensive and being regularly updated for new compounds. There is an obvious need to identify which substances deserve higher priority for further investigations based on agreed criteria, such as their (eco)toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, spatial and temporal widespread, occurrence levels, use, etc. Despite often missing data for proper risk assessment a rational strategy for prioritisation should be established. The activities of this Working Group will include: Development of a set of criteria allowing for prioritisation of the emerging substances and their allocation to clearly pre-defined categories (e.g. substances for which info is not yet sufficient, substances for which there evidence of hazard but analytical performance not yet satisfactory). Yearly update of the NORMAN list of emerging substances in close cooperation with all NORMAN partners. Maintaining links and information exchange with other relevant risk assessment initiatives either at national or international level (e.g. DG-ENV, JRC (IHCP)). Regular identification and upgrade of the available and accessible ecotoxicological information on the NORMAN emerging substances with focus on the state-of-the-art approaches. Regular evaluation of the occurrence data and ecotoxicological (bioassays, biomarkers) data collected in the NORMAN databases. Collection of comments on the improvement of the NORMAN databases’ format and data visualisation tools. Co-ordinator: INERIS (FR) contact : Valeria Dulio Starting date: April 2009 Working Group mandate (176 kB) List of participants October 2009 The value of bioassays and biomarkers in water monitoring programmes: strategies for the interpretation of results Besides sharing data and experience on the use of bioassays (via NORMAN databases and general workshops), there is an international need for definition and standardization of the interpretation of the results of monitoring with bioassays. When using bioassays, what can we say and not say about our water quality and how can decision-makers use the results of these tools (e.g. in future implementation within the WFD)? Validation of the relationship between biological quality (as measured in the WFD on the basis of species lists) and effects measured with bioassays or biomarkers is crucial. The main activities of this Working Group will include: inventorying available bioassays and defining, given the specific information needs, which bioassays to use discussing critical issues regarding the interpretation of bioassay results and needs/requirements to allow the operational use of these tools for decision-makers based on the experience of the participants (results from previous experimental studies) propose a strategic plan for 2010-2011, including for example: the organisation of a common validation study common exercises to "calibrate / validate" the proposed bioassays / biomarkers in controlled semi-field experiments (e.g. in mesocosm and experimental ditch facilities) and get to the definition of a harmonised approach for the interpretation of the results. the organisation of a workshop to present the results of this activity. As an outcome for 2009: A first draft of a position paper will be developed on the subject, describing the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen method(s), their added value for policy-makers, and how decision-makers can use these results. The work will continue in 2010 Co-ordinator: RIVM (NL), INERIS (FR) contact : Starting date: October 2009 Working Group mandate (240 KB) List of participants February 2010 Field-relevance-based approaches for hazardous pollutant identification There is increasing evidence of toxic stress in European river basins that results in the disappearance of sensitive species and this is only partly covered by chemical status under WFD and priority pollutant monitoring. The challenge posed by the complexity of contamination is addressed by DG Environment in an ongoing prioritisation process based on monitoring and modelling. The WG wants to support this process by providing a field-relevance-based approach to identify hazardous compounds using effect-directed analysis (EDA). This may also be a crucial methodology in investigative monitoring and will provide an additional line of evidence for prioritisation. The activities of this working group will include: compiling existing EDA methodologies and making the resulting compilation accessible to scientists and end-users promoting and monitoring scientific progress in EDA and related techniques that help to identify emerging compounds with relevance to ecological status and environmental health in general bringing together European experts in EDA to exchange knowledge, methods and data by workshops, database exchange and scientific collaboration. There will be a specific focus on the establishment of a common library for LC-MSn spectra and retention data promoting and supporting the application of EDA in investigative monitoring by water agencies, consultants and water managers providing WG-1 (on prioritisation) with candidate compounds and recommendations from field-relevance-based toxicant identification providing a link for WG-2 (on biological tools) to chemical monitoring and compound prioritisation. Co-ordinator: UFZ (Germany) Contact: Start date: January 2010 Working group mandate (not yet finalised) List of participants (not yet finalised)

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