Development of improved approaches for exposure estimations of operators, workers, bystanders and residents Rianda Gerritsen-Ebben, representing BROWSE consortium

Contents Introduction BROWSE project Project objectives and timetable Anticipated contribution to Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 and Sustainable Use Directive

What is BROWSE? Bystanders, Residents, Operators and WorkerS Exposure models for plant protection products EU 7th Framework Program 1 January 2011 – 31 December 2013 Total budget 2.6m euro (EU contribution 2m)

Scope Exposure of bystanders, residents, operators and workers to individual pesticide substances Scope does not include: –Dietary exposure (previous EU projects) –Aggregate to multiple substances and cumulative exposure by multiple routes (ACROPOLIS project) –Hazard evaluation (toxicology)

Project objective Review, improve and extend the models currently used in RA of PPPs to evaluate the exposure of operators, workers and bystanders New model for residents building on previous work Involve all relevant stakeholders and end users and take account of gender issues and regional differences Expected impact: contribute to implementation of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 and Dir. 2009/128/EC on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

Consortium FERA (UK) (overall coordinator) Alterra-Plant Research Institute (NL) Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI) (GR) The Arable Group (TAG) (UK) TNO (NL) Ghent University (BE) University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) (I) University of Newcastle (UK)

Work Packages

Cross cutting themes & Advisory Board

WP1: Operator exposure Develop a single, new and improved modeling framework, integrating all available exposure data Incorporate recently-generated, high-quality exposure data if available Take explicit account of key factors and mechanisms influencing exposure, account for non-linearity, strengthen estimation where data are limited Use data on operator practices in different MS to take account of controls & protective equipment Take account of regional & gender differences

WP2: Worker exposure Develop an improved modeling framework integrating all available exposure data Incorporate recently-generated, high-quality exposure data covering many additional scenarios if available Explicitly model key factors and mechanisms to strengthen estimation where data are limited Incorporate regional and gender differences in worker activities and exposure.

WP3: Bystander & Residents exposure Develop improved modeling framework, integrating all available data, modeling key factors & mechanisms to strengthen estimation where data are limited Build on new approaches from BREAM etc., take account of meteorological conditions influencing dispersion & social differences influencing exposure Incorporate recent air conc. & exposure data for modern practices, extra scenarios & southern MS Incorporate regional & gender differences in behavior and proximity to pesticide applications

Tasks WP 1-3 Review of existing models and population of an exposure database (months 1-12) Definition of assessment of objectives and scenarios (months 1-6) Development conceptual model (months 7-30) Development mechanistic model (months 7-30) Model calibration, refinement, and cross- validation (months 7-30) Delivery of completed B,R,O,W exposure models (months 16-36)

WP4: Stakeholder & gender issues Involve all relevant stakeholder and end-user groups –Advisory Panel –Stakeholder workshops –Targeted stakeholder consultations Identify biological, physical, and psycho-social gender differences with potential to influence exposure of B,R,O,W Take account of gender differences in exposure and sensitivity when developing scenarios and models, including surveys on gender differences in tasks & activities in different EU MS for the development of training materials and awareness raising campaigns

WP 5: Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 Deliver guidance and software tools for regulatory RA User-friendly software tools, documentation & training materials Instructions and underpinning scientific justifications for the use of new approaches, data and tools developed by BROWSE Fully suitable for use in the context of Regulation 1107/2009 (involve stakeholders and end users)

WP6: Sustainable Use Directive Use the stakeholders analysis to select priorities and design the exposure assessment software To develop new types of communication material for training (O, W) and public awareness-raising material in all parts EU (web software, videos, text/ graphic materials) Use the new models to develop new and improved risk indicators Ensure that integrated pesticide management (IPM) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are taken into account when defining scenarios Cooperate with key actors & networks to disseminate BROWSE outputs

Theme scenarios Review current EU scenarios & define additional scenarios where necessary Take account of regional and gender variation Group & prioritise scenarios in consultation with stakeholders Use systematic survey methods to collect key data required to model exposure for the most important scenarios (e.g., equipment, working patterns, proximity and behaviour of R&B, etc.).

Theme volatilisation Evaluate in depth the suitability of existing emission models and also simpler approaches for modelling volatilisation in BROWSE, taking account of known limitations Select the most appropriate approach, adapting it as required for estimating human exposures, simplifying it if possible based on sensitivity analysis, and applying it in the different scenarios

Theme transfer coefficients Use all available data to estimate transfer coefficients for increased range of scenarios for B,R,O,W. Explore the potential for modelling key factors and mechanisms influencing residue transfer, to strengthen estimation for scenarios and conditions where data are limited

Theme statistical modelling & calibration Use advanced Bayesian statistical modelling approaches to quantify uncertainties in model inputs and assumptions, calibrate models using data on measured exposures and estimate the overall level of protection (degree of conservatism) Ensure consistency of approaches for operators, workers, residents and bystanders and make maximum use of available data Use Bayesian approaches to develop a rigorous approach for updating first tier exposure models when new exposure studies are submitted for higher tier assessment

Deliverables & timelines

Expected Impact Improve exposure/risk assessment for B,R,O,W with appropriate protection for health, esp. vulnerable groups Contribute to mutual recognition in RA and reduce burden for MS and industry _ harmonization on RA for BROW among MS Improve training/awareness for operator & worker Improve public awareness Improve risk indicators of the policy and National Action Plans _BROW focused indicators for monitoring of the implementation and success of NAP’s

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