DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS FOR EVALUATING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: A WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND ASTM COMMITTEE E47

This article describes the long-standing relationship of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials' (ASTM) Committee on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate. The committee provides a forum for scientists and managers from government, industry and academia to debate and discuss approaches for conducting tests to determine the importance of contaminants released into the environment, and the development of standards through the use of ASTM meetings, workshops and symposia. Several examples are given to demonstrate how EPA has worked with the committee to develop standards, including those for assessing the toxicity and bioavailability of contaminants accumulated in sediments.