Retrospective analyses to reduce number of species needed for avian reproductive toxicity assessment for conventional pesticides
EPA considers chronic risk to birds when evaluating ecological risk to wildlife from the application of pesticides. These risk assessments are supported by ecotoxicity data required for pesticide registration, including data on avian reproductive toxicity (OCSPP 850.2300) in two bird species: an upland game species (typically bobwhite quail, Colinus virginianus) and a waterfowl species (typically mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos). EPA is collaborating with nongovernmental organizations and industry stakeholders on a retrospective analysis to assess species differences in sensitivity to conventional pesticides, which can help determine how testing only two standard avian species influences ecological risk assessments. The analysis examines patterns in species sensitivity across chemical groups. When species differences are identified, an additional analysis will be conducted to determine if differences in species sensitivities could be reliably accounted for without testing of a second species. The goal of this project is to determine if there are factors that can be considered when determining testing requirements for conventional pesticides and if chronic risk to birds can be confidently assessed using a reduced number of test species. Results will be described in a paper projected for submission to a peer-reviewed journal in 2026.