# Nick Poletika

**EPA Public Workshop of 22 Apr 2014** 

# SUGGESTIONS **FOR GAINING EFFICIENCIES IN THE ESA**  **RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS -**  **AN INSECTICIDE EXAMPLE**| 2 

# Topical areas for consideration in the context of the **NAS Panel report**

• Use an agreed scoring sy stem for non - guideline studies when selecting the lowest relevant toxicity value for the most sensitive species in the environment

• Exclude taxa with low toxicity endpoints in initial species/critical habitat overlap analy sis when indirect effects are unimportant

• Consider all available qualified data in defining thresholds and use distributions of values

• Bring in more specific exposure modeling with bounding of upper end estimates from distributions to allow screening at national level

• Supplement LD50/sq ft with more realistic exposure assessment for birds

• Supplement Fletcher/ Kenaga nomogram with more realistic exposure (and effects) assessment for birds| 3 

# Use an agreed scoring sy **stem for non**  **- guideline**  **studies wh**  **en selecting the lowest**  **relevant toxicity value for the**  **most sensitive species in the environment**

After Giddings JM, W illiams WM , Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Risks to aquatic organisms from the use of chlorpyrifos in the United States. Rev Environ Contam To xicol 231:1 19 - 162.| 4 

# Benefits of using such a scoring sy **stem**

• Supplements ECOTOX limitations to ensure high data quality
• High data quality results in accurate action area definition for species/critical habitat overlap analysis
• Provides consistency in additional steps of assessment| 5 

# Exclude **taxa wi**  **th low**  **t oxicity**  **endpoints in initial**  **species/critical habitat**  **overlap analy sis w**  **hen indirect**  **effects are unimportant**  > Terrestrial environment most sensitive species endpoints – plant example **Ta xa**  **(of listed**  **species or obligate**  **species) Endpoint**  **Threshold Ov**  **erlap Distance**  **(ft, max.**  **use rate)**  Birds LD50 = 5.62

mg/kg 1 - in - 10 6 

## = 0.5

mg/kg >2605 Mammals (15 g) NOEL = 1 mg/kg NOEL

= 1 mg/kg >2605 Reptiles LD50 = 5.62

mg/kg 1 - in - 10 6 

## = 0.5

mg/kg >2605 Te rrestrial - phase amphibians LD50 = 5.62 mg/kg 1 - in - 10 6 

## = 0.5

mg/kg >2605 Te rrestrial invertebrates LD50 = 0.059 μg/bee 1 - in - 10 6 

## = 0.005

μg/bee >2605 **Te rrestrial**  **plants NOEC**  **= 0.8 lb/A NOEC**  **= 0.8 lb/A 0** | 6 

# Benefit of excluding listed terrestrial plants

• US FWS Boxscore * > United States Total Listings
• Grand total = 1517
• Plant total = 874


# • Plants represent 57.6% of all listed species
• Of this plant total, very few (any?) obligate species with dependency on animals for pollination or seed dispersal
• “No effect” determinations are possible for most (all?) listed plants at Step 1
• Recommend obligate relationships be cataloged for confirmation
* http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/Boxscore.do| 7 

# Consider all available qualified **data in defining thresholds and use distributions**  **of values**

Concentration ( μ g L - 1 

# ) 10 - 3 

### 10 - 2 

### 10 - 1 

### 10 0 

### 10 1 

### 10 2 

### 10 3 

### 10 4Proportionofspecies



### 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0**N O** **E C** **e c** **o 1** **- i** **n -** **a -** **m i** **l l** **i o** **n L** **C 1** **0 f** **r o** **m H** **C 5** | 8 

# Bring in more specific exposure modeling w **ith bounding of upper end estimates from distributions**  **to allow**  **screening at national level** 

After W illiams W M, Giddings JM, Purdy J, Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Exposures of aquatic organisms to the organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos resulting from use in the United States. Rev Environ Contam To xicol 231:77 - 11 8.| 9 

# Bring in more specific exposure modeling that relates to **actual habitat of listed species –**  **Focus Area example**

After W illiams W M, Giddings JM, Purdy J, Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Exposures of aquatic organisms to the organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos resulting from use in the United States. Rev Environ Contam To xicol 231:77 - 11 8. Cedar Creek, Leelanau County , Michigan (7,100 ha)

Dry Creek, Miller County , Georgia (12,300 ha) Orestimba Creek, Stanislaus County , California (56,000 ha) 

# SW AT PRZM AgDRIFT

Photo Credit: McCabe, D. J. (2010) Rivers and Streams: Life in Flowing W ater. Nature Education Knowledge 1(12):4| 10 

# Benefit of using more specific exposure modeling **distributions and alternative thresholds** 

After W illiams W M, Giddings JM, Purdy J, Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Exposures of aquatic organisms to the organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos resulting from use in the United States. Rev Environ Contam To xicol 231:77 - 11 8. 

### Explicitly , water column in vulnerable fish habitat**N O** **E C** **e c** **o =** **0 .** **1 μ** **g /** **L 1** **- i** **n -** **a -** **m i** **l l** **i o** **n =** **0 .** **0 0** **3 5** **μ g** **/ L** **L C** **1 0** **f r** **o m** **H C** **5 =** **0 .** **0 2** **2 μ** **g /** **L**



### “No Effect” using NOECeco “No Effect” using NOECeco “No Effect” using NOECeco| 11 

# Benefit of using distributions **of exposure and effects**

Risks from modeled exposures (CA) Risks from modeled exposures (MI)

“No Effect” for Fish and In sects “No Effect” for Fish, Crustacea, and In sects After Giddings JM, W illiams WM , Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Risks to aquatic organisms from the use of chlorpyrifos in the United States. Rev Environ Contam To xicol 231:1 19 - 162.| 12 

# Supplement LD50/sq ft w **ith more realistic exposure**  **assessment for birds** 

• GranPARAM example

After Moore DRJ, T

eed RS, Greer C, Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Refined avian risk assessment for chlorpyrifos in the United States. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and To xicology 231:163 - 217.| 13 

# Benefit of using more realistic exposure assessment **for granular uses** 

• GranPARAM accounts for > Proportion of time that birds forage for grit in treated fields > Relative proportions of natural grit versus granules on the surface of treated fields > Rate of particle ingestion > Attractiveness of granules relative to natural grit


# • Can reach the conclusion of no significant risk issues for birds for any granular product use pattern
• “No effect” for listed birds from granular uses| 14 

# Supplement Fletcher/ **Kenaga nomogram**  **wi th**  **more realistic exposure (and effects) assessment**  **for birds**

• LiquidPARAM example > Incorporates parts of EPA TIM v1 and v2 model and many recommendations from SAP 2001 and 2004 meetings


# • Field studies used as an independent line of evidence

After Moore DRJ, T

eed RS, Greer C, Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Refined avian risk assessment for chlorpyrifos in the United States. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and To xicology 231:163 - 217.| 15 

# Benefit of using more realistic exposure (and effects) **assessment for birds** 

• According to model results, some acute risk issues for sensitive bird species in higher rate use patterns
• Most bird species, however, not at significant acute risk for assessed use patterns
• Field results indicate that LiquidPARAM likely overestimating acute risk
• Chronic risk not a significant issue
• Can use listed species biology information for bird “no effect” determinations > Habitat requirements in relation to specific crop in - field exposure > Comparison to dietary profiles of focal species (next slide)| 16 

# LiquidPARAM **focal species**
**K illdeer**  **( Charadrius vociferous**  **)** breeds in southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico, and winters in Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the southern and coastal areas of the US ( Gauvreau and Alvo 1996 , Godfrey 1986 ) ; ( Howell and Webb 1995 , Raffaele et al. 1998 ) . The diet is almost entirely arthropods with a small portion of seeds ( McAtee and Beal 1924 , Wetmo re 1916 ) . **M ourning dove**  **(**

**Zenaida macroura )**  can be found throughout southern Canada, the US, central Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean 47 - 54 ( Aldrich 1993 , Howell and Webb 1 995 , Otis et al. 2008 , Ridgely and Gwynne 1989 ) . The mourning dove is only a partial migrant, and migratory and resident populations co - exist ( Chambers et a l. 1962 ) . The diet of the mourning dove is entirely comp ri se d of seeds ( Le wis 19 93 , Mirarchi 1993 ) . **N orthern bobwhite**  **( Colinus virginianus**  **)** is ty pically sedentary and non - migrator y, and can be found in the eastern US, southern Ontario, eastern Mexico, and parts of the northern Caribbean ( Cadman et al. 1987 , Howell and Webb 1995 , Raffaele et al. 1998 ) . Adult northern bobwhite s weigh 140 to 170 g ( Johnsgard 1988 ) , and primarily consume insects and seeds ( Brennan and Hurst 1995 ) . **R ed**  **- winged blackbird**  **( Agelaius**  **phoeniceus )**  is a partial migrant ( Dolbeer 1982 ) and can be found throughout most of North America ( Ho well and Webb 1995 , Monroe 1968 ) . The red winged blackbird consumes seeds and insects ( Bird and Smith 1964 , McNicol et al. 1982 ) . **V esper sparrow**  **(**

**Pooecetes gramineus )**  breeds from sea level to 3000 m elevation ( Ligon 1961 ) , and from the mid - latitudes of the US north to the mid - latitudes of Canada ( Campbell et al. 2001 , Cannings et al. 1987 , Gilligan et al. 1994 , Godfrey 1986 , Peck and James 1987 , Semenchuk 1992 , Smith 1996 ) . The wintering range of the vesper sparrow spans the southern US and Mexico ( Howell and Webb 1995 , Root 1988 ) . Males and females average 23 to 24 g ( Jones and Cornely 2002 ) . The vesper sparrow eats grasses, seeds and foliage - dwelling insects ( Best 1972 , Feist 1968 ) . **W este**  **rn meadowlark (** 

**Sturnella neglecta )**  consists of both migratory and non - migratory populations, and is primarily confined to central and western North America ( Davis and Lanyon 2008 , Owens and Myres 1973 , Rotenberry and Wiens 1980 ) . The diet of the western meadowlark is mainly comp ri sed of insects, with a small proportion of seeds and grains ( Bryant 1914 , Maher 1974 , Orians 1985 ) . **Abert’s towhee (** 

**Pipilo aberti**

**)** is a non - migratory bird found in the southwestern United States below 1300 m elevation ( Phillips et al. 1964 ) . It averages 47.1 (males) to 44.8 (females) g in body mass ( Dunning 1984 ) and feeds on insects and seeds from the ground ( Rosenberg et al. 1991 ) . **American crow (**  **Corvus brachyrhynchos )**  can be found throughout North America and consists of both re sident and migratory individuals ( Black 1941 ) . The crow ranges in mass from 316 to 575 g ( Johnston 1961 ) an d is an omnivorous and opportunistic ground feeder ( Verbeek and Caffrey 2002 ) . **American robin (**  **Turdus migratorius )**  breeds throughout most of North America and winters in the southernmost parts of Canada, the United States, and Central America ( Godfrey 1986 ) . Adults average 77 g in mass ( Sallabanks and James 2002 ) . The diet of the American robin comprises mainly insects and fruit, with insects, particularly earthworms, being important in the spring and summer ( Sallabanks and James 2002 , Wheelwright 1986 ) . **B l**  **ue grosbeak (** 

**Passerina caerulea )**  can be found in North America as far north as South Dakota and as far south as Panama ( American Ornithologists’ Union 1998 ) . It has a mean mass of 28 g ( Dunning 1993 ) and mainly forages on insects ( Bent 1968 , Martin e t al. 1961 ) . **C ommon pheasant**  **(**

**Phasianus colchicus )**  is primarily found on agricultural lands in southern Canada and in the mid - to northern United States ( American Ornithologists’ Union 1998 ) . It is primarily a sedentar y species, but will migrate in search of food ( Olsen 1977 ) . Males weigh 900 to 3000 g, and females weigh 500 to 1000 g ( Long 1981 , Ridgway and Friedmann 1946 ) . The breeding season diet of the common pheasant includes agricultural grains and other vegetation, insects, and seeds ( Stromberg 1979 ) . **D ickcissel**  **(**

**Spiza americana )**  breeds in central North America from North Dakota to Texas ( American Ornithologists’ Union 1998 ) and winters in cent ral Venezuela ( Basili and Temple 1999 ) . I ts diet is comp ri sed primarily of ground - dwelling arthropods and seeds ( Gross 1921 , Temple 2002 ) . **H orned lark**  **(**

**Eremophilia alpestris )**  breeds throughout most of the US, Canada and Mexico, and winters in the US and Mexico ( Godfrey 1986 , Howell and Webb 1995 ) . The diet of the horned lark is compris ed almost entirely of seeds in the winter months, but also includes grounddwelling insects in the spring, summer and fall ( Rotenberry 1980 ) . **I ndigo bunting**  **(**

**Passerina cyanea )**  is a long - distance migrant, primarily breeding in the eastern US and southeastern Canada ( American Orn ithologists’ Union 1998 ) and wintering in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean ( Howell and Webb 1995 ) . The diet of the indigo bunting includes seeds, berries, and insects gleaned from foliage ( Barrows 1912 , Butler 1897 , Forbes 1883 , McAtee 1926 , Taber and Johston 1968 ) . After Moore DRJ, T eed RS, Greer C, Solomon KR, Giesy JP . 2014. Refined avian risk assessment for chlorpyrifos in the United States. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and To xicology 231:163 - 217. 

# Focal species for corn: American robin, Horned lark, Killdeer , Mourning dove, Northern bobwhite, Redwinged blackbird, Ve sper sparrow Horned lark ( Eremophilia alpestris ) breeds throughout most of the US, Canada and Mexico, and winters in the US and Mexico (Godfrey 1986; Howell and Webb 1995). The diet of the horned lark is comprised almost entirely of seeds in the winter months, but also includes ground dwelling insects in the spring, summer and fall ( Rotenberry 1980).| 17 

# Summary **a nd Relative Implementation**  **Costs Suggestion Required Resources** 
• Study scoring system
• Exclude insensitive taxa
• Consider all data
• Specific exposure modeling
• Supplement LD50/sq ft
• Supplement nomogram • Initially define system ($)
• Catalog obligates ($)
• SSDs ($)
• One - time scenario effort ($$$)
• Apply GranPARAM ($ - $$)*
• Apply LiquidPARAM ($$ - $$$) #


# • Voluntary field studies ($$$)
Registrants can supply information following Agency guidance *Or consider granule composition ($) # 

### Or use focal species biology ($)