United States
                      Environmental Protection
                      Agency
Office of Research and
Development
Washington DC 20460
EPA/620/R-OO/OOSz
       May, 2001
 &EFW    Coastal  Communications
                         ENDANGERED SPECIES SENSITIVITY
                         AND  ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT
                  ORD/OW/OPPTS/USes/UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Background
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries
Service share a common responsibility for the protection of our nation's aquatic species under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The EPA, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA) assess risk to
aquatic species, and it has been assumed that these processes are also protective of endangered species.
Until recently, little or no toxicological data existed to determine if endangered species were more sensitive
to chemicals than other species, and if present laws adequately protect endangered species.
      Razorback Sucker
      Xyrauchen texanus               ^^"^        •a^^*^«ji               Desert Pupf ish
                                      Laboratory Test System             Cyprinodon macularius
Activities
The ultimate goal is to provide EPA with tools to predict acute and chronic effects on endangered species
without physically testing them, and thereby insure their adequate protection. However, a limited number of
individuals of selected species must first be tested to develop relationships for estimating relative
sensitivities of endangered species.

Collaborative efforts between EPA's Gulf Ecology Division and Offices of Water (OW) and Prevention,
Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USSS), and the University of Missouri,
have resulted in testing 17 endangered or related fishes, 1 endangered toad, and 3 species (fathead minnow,
rainbow trout, sheepshead minnow) commonly used in risk assessments, with 5 chemicals representing a broad
range of modes of action (carbaryl, copper, 4-nonylphenol, pentachlorophenol, and permethrin). Two
Windows®-based software programs are being developed for acute and chronic toxicity extrapolations from
commonly tested species to endangered ones: Interspecies Correlation Estimation (ICE) and Acute to Chronic
Estimation (ACE).  These programs will assist EPA in carrying out its mandates under ESA, FIFRA, TSCA, and
CWA for the protection and recovery of endangered species. Completion of the software and user manuals
are scheduled for 2002.

Further Information
For further information, please contact Foster Mayer at the National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory's (Sulf Ecology Division at 850-934-9356 or mayer.foster©epa.gov: Mary Reiley, Office
of Water (202)-564-7983; Don Rodier, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (202) 260-1276; Larry
Turner, Office of Pesticide Programs (703) 305-5007; Denny Buckler at \JSGS (573) 876-1803; and Mark
Ellersieck at the University of Missouri (573) 882-6584.  Visit the Coastal Communications web site:
http//www. epa.gov/nheerl/whatsnew.

-------