Viability of developing a screening tool to assess non-standard bioaccumulation potential of chemical substances in aquatic and terrestrial wildlife

"The Chemical Assessment Unit (CAU; Chief Scientist's Group - Research, Environment and Business Directorate, Environment Agency) supports the UK Chemicals Agency (the Health and Safety Executive, HSE) on the environmental aspects of the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) legislation. A crucial part of our work is hazard assessment of industrial and consumer chemicals, and the correct assignment of bioaccumulation potential is a fundamental component of such assessments.

Currently, there are no validated test guidelines or methods to screen for chemicals that preferentially bioaccumulate in non-lipid rich tissues (e.g. muscle, liver, serums). This project aims to identify what alternative tests are available or could be developed and used to screen for this form of bioaccumulation as a regulatory requirement under UK REACH; specifically in relation to Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic and very Persistent very Bioaccumulative (henceforth PBT) assessment and exposure modelling.

If suitable methods can be identified, we would like to understand how they would trigger the determination of BioConcentration Factors (BCF;or other bioaccumulation metrics) in aquatic and dietary exposure studies. For example, can equivalent threshold metrics, e.g.:

Additional information: Deadline for submission of tenders is Friday 16th September at 17:00. All tenders should be submitted to estelle.nma@environment-agency.gov.uk Estelle Nma will be your contact for any questions linked to the content of the quote pack or the process. Please submit any questions by email. Deadline for clarification questions is Friday 09 September 2022.

All queries should be sent to Estelle.nma@environment-agency.gov.uk and cc. Pippa.CurtisJackson@environment-agency.gov.uk