Project ACROPOLIS: Aggregate and cumulative risk of pesticides: an online integrated strategy

2010-06-01 – 2013-11-30

Abstract

Current risk assessment of pesticides and MRL setting does not sufficiently account for cumulative and aggregate exposure. The central aim of the project is to improve risk assessment strategies in Europe. The project will develop a framework for cumulative and aggregate risk assessment of pesticides that is scientifically sound and accessible for all actors involved in the European risk assessment and risk management. This work consists of: 1) studying the data needs, data availability and organization including uncertainties for cumulative exposure and effect assessment in a prohabilistic risk assessment framework; 2) integrating models describing various routes of exposure into an aggregate exposure model; 3à setting up new toxicological testing for identifying possible additive or synergistic effects and developing a strategy for refinement of cumulative assessment groups; ') integrating cumulative and aggregate risk models including uncertainty analyses in a web-based tool, including accessible data for all stakeholders; 5) improving risk assessment strategies in Europe by analysing stakeholders attitudes, by training and by discussing the new methodology in several stakeholder conferences.