2011-05-05
Surface Water Predicted Environmental (PEC) modelling for hard surfaces
The UK regulatory authority (CRD) has recently issued an update of the ‘HardSPEC’ model that widens the scope of the model to additionally include railway and amateur use scenarios. The HardSPEC model has been used for several years by Chemicals Regulation Directorate for calculating predicted environmental concentrations in surface water (PECsw) for use in ecotoxicological risk assessments of pesticides. Specifically, HardSPEC has been used in risk assessment of pesticides applied to hard surfaces, most usually herbicides.- Railway scenario: this estimates surface water concentrations following applications to railway ballast formations. This module was developed in response to interest from industry in marketing herbicides in situations where use is restricted solely to railway situations.
- Amateur use scenario: this estimates concentrations of pesticides in surface water following use by amateur gardeners in the home garden situation. This module will be of specific interest to companies wishing to gain authorisation of amateur use pesticides used on hard surfaces.
