User Guide to Thresholds and Classification - Environmental ...

276User Guide for Thresholds and Classificationsmean value, it is not advisable to combine tests of different species within a taxonomic group or in differentlife stages or tested under different conditions or durations.18.4.4. Absence of measured dataThe EPA recognises that measured data may not be available for all hazard effect endpoints for allsubstances. The Hazardous Substances (Minimum Degrees of Hazard) Regulations 2001 also acknowledgethat:data includes values that are directly measured, calculated, or estimated for any of the measuresgiven.Therefore, although no measured data may be available, the classification of a substance into a HSNO Acthazard classification category may still occur, using a weight of evidence approach that acknowledges allother data that is available on the substance or closely related substances. If this approach is used, anyassumptions made and the weight of evidence approach for hazard classification should be clearlydocumented.If no measured (direct) data or indirect data are available on the substance, the substance cannot beassigned a definitive hazard classification.18.5. Data sourcesThe possible data sources listed in Table 18.1 below and Table 18.2 below are provided as a starting point;they are not exhaustive.As noted in section 1.3in chapter 1, the quality of data is highly variable within and between various sources.It is your responsibility to ensure the data used for classification meets the criteria of reliability, relevance,and adequacy.Some sources listed in Table 18.1 and Table 18.2 require a subscription, but most are free. See also chapter9 for a more extensive listing of data sources.Table 18.1: Ecotoxicity and environmental fate – information sourcesInformation sourceURLChemical Evaluation Search and Retrieval System(CESARS)ECETOC Aquatic toxicity database (EAT III)ECOTOX (US EPA integration of AQUIRE,PHYTOTOX and TERRETOX)OECD SIDSBiodegradation and Bioaccumulation Database onExisting Chemicals, Japan (MITI)http://www.ccohs.ca/products/databases/cesars.htmlhttp://www.ecetoc.org/Content/Default.asp?http://www.epa.gov/ecotoxhttp://cs3-hq.oecd.org/scripts/hpvhttp://www.safe.nite.go.jp/english/db.htmlJanuary 2012 EPA0109