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1.1 This guide describes a stepwise process for using information concerning the biological, chemical, physical, and toxicological properties of a material to identify adverse effects likely to occur to aquatic organisms and their uses as a result of release of the material to the environment. The material will usually be a specific chemical, although it might be a group of chemicals that have very similar biological, chemical, physical, and toxicological properties and are usually produced, used, and discarded together.

1.2 The hazard assessment process is complex and requires decisions at a number of points; thus, the validity of a hazard assessment depends on the soundness of those decisions, as well as the accuracy of the information used. All decisions should be based on reasonable worst-case analyses so that an appropriate assessment can be completed for the least cost that is consistent with scientific validity.

1.3 This guide assumes that the reader is knowledgeable in aquatic toxicology and related pertinent areas. A list of general references is provided ().

1.4 This guide does not describe or reference detailed procedures for estimating or measuring environmental concentrations, or procedures for determining the maximum concentration of test material that is acceptable in the food of predators of aquatic life. However, this guide does describe how such information should be used when assessing the hazard of a material to aquatic organisms and their uses.

1.5 Because assessment of hazard to aquatic organisms and their uses is a relatively new activity within aquatic toxicology, most of the guidance provided herein is qualitative rather than quantitative. When possible, confidence limits should be calculated and taken into account.

1.6 This guide provides guidance for assessing hazard but does not provide guidance on how to take into account social considerations in order to judge the acceptability of the hazard. Judgments concerning acceptability are social as well as scientific, and are outside the scope of this guide.

1.7 This guide is arranged as follows:

SectionReferenced DocumentsDescriptions of Terms Specific to This StandardSummary of GuideSignificance and UseFour Basic ConceptsThe IterationThe Two ElementsThe Possible DecisionsThe Phased ApproachPhase I-Use of Low-Cost (Existing) InformationCollection of Available DataInitial Estimates of Environmental ConcentrationsInitial Estimate of Toxicity to Aquatic OrganismsInitial Estimate of Bioaccumulation by Aquatic Organ-isms Phase I Hazard AssessmentPhase II-Use of Medium-Cost InformationImproved Estimates of Environmental ConcentrationsAcute Toxicity to Aquatic AnimalsToxicity to AlgaeExpansion of Short-Term TestingBioaccumulationPhase II Hazard AssessmentPhase III-Use of High-Cost InformationRefined Estimates of Environmental ConcentrationsChronic Toxicity to Aquatic AnimalsUse of Acute-Chronic RatiosToxicity to Aquatic PlantsBioconcentrationBioaccumulation from FoodPhase III Hazard AssessmentAppendixesProduction, Use, Disposal, and Other ReleaseBiological ConsiderationsChemical ConsiderationsPhysical ConsiderationsToxicological ConsiderationsEstimating Environmental ConcentrationsSelection of Test SpeciesLong-Term Toxicity Tests

1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.