A conceptual framework for landscape-based environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides

While pesticide use is subject to strict regulatory oversight worldwide, it remains a main concern for environmental protection, including biodiversity conservation. This is partly due to the current regulatory approach that relies on separate assessments for each single pesticide, crop use, and non-target organism group at local scales. Such assessments tend to overlook the combined effects of overall pesticide usage at larger spatial scales. Integrative landscape-based approaches are emerging, enabling the consideration of agricultural management, the environmental characteristics, and the combined effects of pesticides applied in a same or in different crops within an area. These developments offer the opportunity to deliver informative risk predictions relevant for different decision contexts including their connection to larger spatial scales and to combine environmental risks of pesticides, with those from other environmental stressors. We discuss the needs, challenges, opportunities and available tools for implementing landscape-based approaches for prospective and retrospective pesticide Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA). A set of “building blocks” that emerged from the discussions have been integrated into a conceptual framework. The framework includes elements to facilitate its implementation, in particular: flexibility to address the needs of relevant users and stakeholders; means to address the inherent complexity of environmental systems; connections to make use of and integrate data derived from monitoring programs; and options for validation and approaches to facilitate future use in a regulatory context. The conceptual model can be applied to existing ERA methodologies, facilitating its comparability, and highlighting interoperability drivers at landscape level. The benefits of landscape-based pesticide ERA extend beyond regulation. Linking and validating risk predictions with relevant environmental impacts under a solid science-based approach will support the setting of protection goals and the formulation of sustainable agricultural strategies. Moreover, landscape ERA offers a communication tool on realistic pesticide impacts in a multistressors environment for stakeholders and citizens

AB0499 Inflammatory lung disease a potential risk factor for onset of inflammatory myopathies

Background Although the etiology of inflammatory myopathies is unclear, there are data indicating that myositis occurs as a result of complex interactions between genes and environmental/life style factors. Objectives To assess the association between lung disease and the risk of developing inflammatory myopathies, myositis. Methods In this population-based case-control study, 179 incident adult myositis cases diagnosed between 1995 and 1997 were identified from the Swedish inpatient registry. Verification of diagnosis was performed through patient records. The analysis was based on responses from a questionnaire on exposures to environmental factors from 100 cases that were alive and fulfilled the inclusion criteria and from 402 randomly selected population controls matched to cases on birth of date, gender and residency. Exposure was based upon self-reports of preceding inflammatory lung disease (pneumonia, tuberculosis or sarcoidosis). The association between inflammatory lung disease and risk of developing myositis was evaluated by calculating odds ratio (OR) together with 95% confidence interval (CI) by means of logistic regression. Results There was an association between preceding inflammatory lung disease and diagnosis of myositis: adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9-2.6. The median duration between the lung disease and first symptom of myositis was 30 years. Conclusions Subjects with preceding inflammatory lung disease had an increased risk of developing myositis compared to those without such disease. Inflammatory lung disease could thus be a potential risk factor for onset of inflammatory myopathies, myositis, or a parallel phenomenon. Disclosure of Interest None Declare

New England salt marsh recovery: opportunistic colonization of an invasive species and its non-consumptive effects.

Predator depletion on Cape Cod (USA) has released the herbivorous crab Sesarmareticulatum from predator control leading to the loss of cordgrass from salt marsh creek banks. After more than three decades of die-off, cordgrass is recovering at heavily damaged sites coincident with the invasion of green crabs (Carcinusmaenas) into intertidal Sesarma burrows. We hypothesized that Carcinus is dependent on Sesarma burrows for refuge from physical and biotic stress in the salt marsh intertidal and reduces Sesarma functional density and herbivory through consumptive and non-consumptive effects, mediated by both visual and olfactory cues. Our results reveal that in the intertidal zone of New England salt marshes, Carcinus are burrow dependent, Carcinus reduce Sesarma functional density and herbivory in die-off areas and Sesarma exhibit a generic avoidance response to large, predatory crustaceans. These results support recent suggestions that invasive Carcinus are playing a role in the recovery of New England salt marshes and assertions that invasive species can play positive roles outside of their native ranges