tion process include (1) efficacy on the target pest, (2) general and en- 

 vironmental chemistry of the pesticide, (3) safety to the applicator and 

 the consumer of treated products, and (4) effects on non-target organisms, 

 including those of aquatic ecosystems. More specifically with regard to 

 aquatic organisms, the administrator (EPA) "shall register a pesticide pro- 

 duct or approve amended and supplemental registration if he determines that, 

 when considered with any restrictions imposed, the pesticide will perform 

 its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on the environ- 

 ment" (Environmental Protection Agency, 1975a). 



If a pesticide is intended for outdoor use, or for use where it may 

 contaminate water, applicants for registration must submit data that will 

 permit evaluation of hazards to non-target animals, as given in the pro- 

 posed registration guidelines (Environmental Protection Agency, 1975a). 

 The minimum requirements include the acute toxicity (96-hr LC50) of the 

 technical grade pesticide for both a coldwater and warmwater species of 

 fish, such as rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) and bluegills ( Lepomis 

 macrochirus ) . An acute test must also be performed on an aquatic inverte- 

 brate, such as a daphnid. Data reports must include calculations of the 

 dose-response line, the 95% confidence intervals for the LC50, and the 

 slope of the regression. Other studies may be required, depending on 

 whether acceptable research demonstrates that, under conditions of pro- 

 posed use, the pesticide causes no unreasonable adverse effects on plants 

 and animals of aquatic ecosystems. Such additional studies, considered 

 "conditional tests," may be judged necessary depending on other factors, 

 such as (1) chemical and physical properties of the pesticide, (2) amount 

 of pesticide applied per unit of area or time, (3) likely degree of 

 contamination in various environmental components according to proposed 

 use, (4) various species to be affected, (5) likely routes of exposure, (6) 

 persistence of the pesticide or its biologically active degradation pro- 

 ducts and transfer between environmental components, and (7) degree of 

 biological uptake of the pesticide or its significant degradation products. 



The "conditional tests" that concern water contamination may include 



(1) additional acute toxicity tests with the technical grade or formulated 

 pesticide against freshwater and estuarine or marine fish and invertebrates; 



(2) toxicity-residue studies with bottom-feeding fish (channel catfish, 

 Ictalurus punctatus , or carp, Cyprinus carpio ), predaceous fish (e.g., 

 largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides , bluegills, or trout), molluscs 

 (oysters or freshwater clams), Crustacea ( Daphnia sp., Gammarus sp., or 

 crayfish), and insect larvae; (3) studies of chronic effects on reproduc- 

 tion of fish or invertebrates or both; and (4) "special studies" (actual or 

 simulated field studies in which proposed use patterns are tested). Other 

 toxicity data may be required where unusual or specific potential hazards 

 may be associated with a particular proposed pesticide use. At present, 

 when a pesticide is proposed for aquatic use, the applicant for registra- 

 tion is required to provide data to establish a residue tolerance in edible 

 tissues of fish, shellfish, or both, or obtain an exemption from the re- 

 quirement for a tolerance. Research guidelines for establishing tolerances 

 have not yet been proposed. In general, however, such research would 

 probably include oncogenic evaluations; chronic feeding studies in animals 



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