Using emerging science to inform risk characterizations for wildlife within current regulatory frameworks

Many jurisdictions have regulatory frameworks that seek to reduce the effects of environmental exposures of anthropogenic chemicals on terrestrial wildlife (i.e., mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians). The frameworks apply for new and existing chemicals, including pesticides (prospective assessments), and to environmental contamination from releases (retrospective risk assessments). Relatively recently, there have been many scientific advances that could improve risk estimates for wildlife. Here, we briefly describe current regulations from North America (United States and Canada) and from Europe that include risk assessments for wildlife to ascertain whether they are conducive to the use of emerging science and new methods. We also provide examples where new and emerging science may be used to improve wildlife risk characterization and identify areas in need of future research. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-15. (c) 2024 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (c) 2024 Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. New and recent advancements in toxicology, ecology, microbiology, and modeling provide greater opportunities to improve risk assessments for vertebrate terrestrial wildlife species. Many regulations where risk assessments to wildlife are concerned offer opportunities to include scientific advancements and reduce the use of assumptions. Increases in the availability of new tools for wildlife risk assessments will require practitioners and regulators that are up to date with these advancements and comfortable with their application. Increased use of new science in risk assessment may also require new decision criteria accompanied by sound risk communication.