Environmental & Molecular Toxicology

Anne Fairbrother, Ph.D.

Courtesy Faculty
Dept: EMT
Ph.D.:
Phone: 541-754-4567
Fax: 541-754-4799
Office Address:
USEPA/NHEERL/WED
200 SW 35th Street
Corvallis, OR 97333
fairbrother.anne@epamail.epa.gov

My research interests are in ecological risk assessments of terrestrial and wetland systems and in wildlife toxicology, particularly developing methods for measuring immune function, endocrine disruption, and interaction of multiple stressors. I apply new approaches and concepts to development of risk assessment guidelines and hazard classification methods in the U.S. and abroad. I also support pesticide risk assessments though: development of guidelines for testing nontarget effects on birds of microbial and chemical pesticides, proposed approaches for probabilistic and population level risk assessments for avian studies, and guidance on ecological assessment methods for genetically modified crops. A particular focus has been on heavy metal ecotoxicology, especially issues of essentiality and bioavailability, with special interest in selenium and mercury effects on avian reproduction and immune function, as well as meta-analyses of available data to further define avian toxicity thresholds.

Areas of expertise: wildlife toxicology and ecological risk assessment

Recognized internationally as a leader in ecological risk assessments of terrestrial and wetland systems, particularly for wide-area (i.e., large spatial extent) sites. Initial contributions to the EPA’s Framework for Ecological Risk Assessment (a seminal document that is followed internationally), was followed by practical applications at many contaminated sites world-wide. New approaches and concepts learned are exemplified in many publications on risk assessment topics, including an introductory document on the topic produced by the United Nations in multiple languages (Chinese, Spanish, Polish, and Czech), development of guidelines for British Columbia, and a widely distributed work on proposed method for hazard classification of sparingly soluble substances (particularly relevant to European labeling standards). Contributions to pesticide risk assessment include development of guidelines for testing nontarget effects on birds of microbial pesticides, proposed approaches for probabilistic risk assessments for avian studies, and guidance on ecological assessment methods for genetically modified crops.

Recognized expert in heavy metal ecotoxicology for terrestrial systems, especially relating to issues of essentiality and bioavailability. Contributions include: Chairing an international workshop on methods for hazard determination of metals in soils, including subsequent publication of a book with detailed methods for plants, invertebrates, and microbial analyses, and co-Chair of the EPA-wide project to develop the Framework for Metals Risk Assessment . Particular contributions have been in the area of selenium and mercury, two metalloids with specific geochemical and biological properties that differentiate them from other metals. Publications on effects of selenium to avian reproduction and health have been widely cited, and include studies on the potential disruption of the immune system, hatchability, survival and growth of young, and reproductive success of wild birds as well as meta-analyses of all available data to further define avian toxicity thresholds. Recognition of the regulatory importance of this work was exemplified by EPA’s invitation to chair a technical workshop on the topic as part of the effort to update the water quality criteria for selenium, and multiple invitations at similar venues for other jurisdictions and to participate on expert advisory panels for setting selenium criteria in San Francisco Bay and the Great Salt Lake. Publications on application of bioavailability methods to petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites have extended my contributions of understanding the role of bioavailability beyond heavy metals issues.

Extensive contributions have been made to the field of wildlife toxicology, particularly investigating methods for measuring immune function, endocrine disruption, and interaction of multiple stressors. Publications on immunotoxicity assays and biomarker methods (e.g., standardization of measurement of cholinesterase assays) published in the late 1980’s to 1990’s are still routinely cited in current studies on these topics. An early publication in Science (during my graduate studies) was one of the first contributions to the discussion of accounting for multiple stressors (as well as simultaneous multiple effects) is a theme continued through several other publications and recognized by invitations to workshops and books published on this topic. The book I edited on Non-infectious Diseases of Wildlife remains a standard text in many wildlife toxicology courses.

Selected Publications

Fairbrother, A. and B. Hope. 2005. Terrestrial Ecotoxicology. IN: Wexler, P. (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Toxicology (2nd edition). Elsevier: Oxford. pp. 138 - 142.

Bennett, R.S., I. Dewhurst, A. Fairbrother, A. D. M. Hart, M. Hooper, A. Leopold, P. Mineau, S. Mortensen, R. F. Shore and T. A. Springer. 2005. A new interpretation of avian and mammalian reproduction toxicity test data in ecological risk assessment. Ecotoxicol.14(8):1-15

Suter II, G.W., S.B. Norton, and A. Fairbrother. 2005. Individuals versus organisms versus populations in the definition of ecological assessment endpoints. Integrated Environ. Assess. Mgmt. 1:397-400.

Watrud, L.S., E.H. Lee, A. Fairbrother, C. Burdick, J.R. Reichman, M. Bollman, M. Storm, G. King, and P.K Van de Water. 2004. Evidence for landscape-level, pollen-mediated gene flow from genetically modified creeping bentgrass with CP4 EPSPS as a marker. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 101(40): 14533-14538.

Fairbrother, A., J. Smits, and K. Grasman. 2004. Avian immunotoxicology. J. Toxicol. Environ. Hlth, Part B. 7:105-137.

Fairbrother, A. 2003. Lines of evidence in ecological risk assessment. Human Ecol. Risk Assess. 9:1475-1491.

Sappington, K., A. Fairbrother, R. Wentsel, and W. Wood. 2003. Development of a framework for risk assessment of metals. J. Environ. Mgmt. 5:122-132.

Brewer, L., A. Fairbrother, J. Clark, and D. Amick. 2003. Acute toxicity of lead, steel, and an iron-tungsten-nickel shot to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). J. Wildl. Dis. 39(3):638-648.

Adams, W.A., K.V. Brix, M. Edwards, L.M. Tear, D.K. DeForest, and A. Fairbrother. 2003. Analysis of field and laboratory data to derive selenium toxicity thresholds for birds. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22(9):2020-2029.

Fairbrother, A. (ed.). 2002. Test Methods for Hazard Determination of Metals and Sparingly Soluble Metal Compounds in Soils. SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL.

Fairbrother, A., M. A. Lewis, and R. E. Menzer. 2000. Methods in environmental toxicology. In A. W. Hayes, ed. Principals and methods of toxicology. 4th Ed. Raven Press, New York, NY.

Fairbrother, A. and R.S. Bennett. 2000. Multivariate statistical applications for addressing multiple stresses in ecological risk assessments. Pages 69-115 in Ferenc, S.A. and J.A. Foran, eds. Multiple stressors in ecological risk and impact assessment: approaches in risk estimation. SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL.

Fairbrother, A., K.V. Brix, D.K. DeForest, and W.J. Adams. 2000. Egg selenium thresholds for birds: a response to J. Skorupa’s critique of Fairbrother et al., 1999. Human and Ecol. Risk Assessment. 6:203-212.

Fairbrother, A., K. V. Brix, J. E. Toll, S. McKay, and W. J. Adams. 1999. Egg selenium concentrations as predictors of avian toxicity. Human and Ecol. Risk Assessment. 5:1229-1253.

Fairbrother, A. 2000. Comparative aspects of estrogen functions and measurements in oviparous and viviparous vertebrates. Human and Ecol. Risk Assessment. 6:73-102.

Ozman, M., S. E. Dominguez, and A. Fairbrother. 1998. Effects of dietary azinphos methyl on selected plasma and tissue biomarkers of the gray-tailed vole. Bulletin of Environ. Contam. and Toxicol. 60:194-201.

Fairbrother, A., W. G. Landis, S. Dominguez, T. Shiroyama, P. Buchholz, M. J. Roze, and G. B. Matthews. 1998. A novel nonmetric multivariate approach to the evaluation of biomarkers in terrestrial field studies. Ecotoxicol. 7:1-10.

Chapman, P. M., A. Fairbrother, and D. Brown. 1998. A critical evaluation of safety (uncertainty) factors for ecological risk assessment. Environ. Toxicol. and Chem. 17(1):99-108.

Fowles, J. R., A. Fairbrother, and N. I. Kerkvliet. 1997. Effects of induced hypo and hyperthyroidism on immune function and plasma biochemistry in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Comp. Biochem. and Physiol. 118C:213-220.

Fowles, J. R., A. Fairbrother, K. A. Trust, and N. I. Kerkvliet. 1997. Effects of Aroclor-1254 on the thyroid gland, immune function, and hepatic cytochrome P-450 activity in mallards. Environ. Research 75:119-129.

Fowles, J., A. Fairbrother, L. Baecher-Steppan, and N. I. Kerkvliet. 1994. Immunologic and endocrine effects of the flame-retardant pentabromodiphenyl ether (DE-71) in C57B1/6J mice. Toxicol. 86:49-61.

Trust, K. A., J. R. Fowles, M. J. Hooper, and A. Fairbrother. 1994. Cyclophosphamide effects on immune function of European starlings. J. Wildl. Dis. 30:328-334.

Fairbrother, A., M. Fix, T. O'Hara, and C. A. Ribic. 1994. Impairment of growth and immune function of avocet chicks from sites with elevated selenium, arsenic, and boron. J. Wildl. Dis. 30:222-233.

Trust, K. A., A. Fairbrother, and M. J. Hooper. 1994. Effects of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on immune function and mixed-function oxygenase activity in the European starling. Environ. Toxicol. and Chem. 13:821-830.

Fowles, J. R., N. Kerkvliet, M. Fix, and A. Fairbrother. 1993. Glucocorticoid effects on natural killer cell activity, antibody response, and plasma chemistry in mallards. Comp. Develop. Immunol. 17:165-177.