Abstract

Thanks to a new methodology it is possible to obtain, in a quick manner, an indication of eventual risks as a result of the release of chemical substances to the environment. Because of the increasing attention for the responsible management of chemical substances, there is a growing demand for environmental quality standards for these substances. However, the derivation of quality standards is a time-consuming exercise, while an initial indication of an eventual risk for man or the environment is often sufficient for a competent authority or a company. The methodology is in line with (inter)nationally accepted methodologies. In a stepwise fashion, an indicative environmental quality standard is derived, on the basis of substance characteristics from a number of selected databases. Hazard characteristics for both man and the environment are taken into account. The methodology is conservative, because no exhaustive literature search is performed, and data are not extensively checked for validity. This will prevent an underestimation of an eventual risk. Subsequently, if desirable, one can proceed to the more elaborate method for quality standard derivation. Indicative environmental quality standards can be used as directional tools in several different frameworks, including the water and air quality policies.