TR 135 – Exploring community-based environmental hazard assessment of mixtures using mode-of-action based approaches

An ECETOC Task Force has explored the challenge of assessing the effects of mixtures of chemicals on aquatic communities comprising many species. This requires information about the specific chemical mixture, the different species likely to be exposed, as well as a myriad of other factors.

Considering all potential combinations of chemicals and species is simply not feasible, nor is it necessary, as not all will be found in nature. The study presents an overview of different modelling approaches, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages, then proposes a potential strategy for studying mixture effects on communities.