Framework for prioritizing monitoring of CECs in the Pacific Northwest

There are thousands of compounds used in daily life, some of which may have some potential to cause impacts on humans and wildlife.  Although we know a lot about some of them, there are many that are poorly understood.  These are commonly referred to as Contaminants of Emerging Concern or CECs.   We have learned through monitoring and research that CECs are present in the water and sediments of the Puget Sound and the Columbia River.  There is a need to learn more in order to preserve a healthy environment.  However, considering the huge number of potential compounds, it is worth developing a method to determine which may be the most important.

The Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP), along with partners from the US EPA Columbia River Program and USGS Oregon Water Science Center, has developed a framework for prioritizing monitoring of CECs in the Pacific Northwest.  There are several key recommendations that came out of the process, including a description of potential next steps to address the issue.  Briefly:

• The prioritization process should be risk based and focus activities on compounds which have the highest possibility of causing harm. 
• Risk can be estimated by comparing a measure of occurrence (how much is there in different parts of the environment?) with a measure of toxicity (what concentrations will harm an organism).
• Uncertainty and data quality should be considered before applying the prioritization process.  High levels of uncertainty or poor data quality can yield results with little or no meaning.
• The process should be revisited regularly to account for scientific advances which may change or improve results.

Reference:

James CA, Brandenberger JM, Dutch M, Hardy J, Lester D, Norton D, O’Neill SM, Redman S, Schultz IR, Sullivan C, and West JW.  2015.  Contaminants of Emerging Concern: A Prioritization Framework for Monitoring in Puget Sound.  Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program.