Endpoint

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-009510",
  "term": "Endpoint",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. An observable or measurable biological event or chemical concentration (e.g., metabolite concentration in a target tissue) used as an index of an effect of a chemical exposure.\n\n2. An endpoint (or indicator/target)is a characteristic of an ecosystem that may be affected by exposure to a stressor. Assessment endpoints and measurement endpoints are two distinct types of endpoints commonly used by resource managers. An assessment endpoint is the formal expression of a valued environmental characteristic and should have societal relevance (an indicator). A measurement endpoint is the expression of an observed or measured response to a stress or disturbance. It is a measurable environmental characteristic that is related to the valued environmental characteristic chosen as the assessment endpoint. The numeric criteria that are part of traditional water quality standards are good examples of measurement endpoints (targets).\n\n3. An observable or measurable biological or chemical event used as an index of the effect of a chemical on a cell, tissue, organ, organism, etc.\n\n4. Endpoint is used differently in environmental versus human health risk assessment. In environmental risk assessment, endpoint refers to the environmental value that is being protected. Ecological attributes like biodiversity or a particular species like striped bass, are examples. In human health risk assessment, endpoint refers to a manifestation of adverse human health due to exposure to the hazard in question (also known as response in dose-response). Example MRA endpoints include infection, a defined set of symptoms, or death. Both environmental and human health assessments may address multiple endpoints. The significance of the endpoints are part of the justification for conducting the risk assessment. A poorly defined endpoint can lead to misunderstandings or inappropriate expectations from the risk assessment.\n\n5. (Assessment endpoint) An explicit expression of the environmental value that is to be protected, operationally defined by an ecological entity and its attributes. For example, salmon are valued ecological entities; reproduction and age class structure are some of their important attributes. Together \"salmon reproduction and age class structure\" form an assessment endpoint.\n\n6. An observable or measurable biological or chemical event that is used as an index of the effect of a stressor on a cell, tissue, organ, organism, etc.\n\n7. A biological or ecological characteristic that is the basis for evaluation or measurement.\n\n8. Technical term used to describe the environmental value that is to be protected. An environmental value is an ecological unit and its characteristics. For example, salmon are valued ecological units; reproduction and age class structure are some of their important characteristics. Together “salmon reproduction and age class structure” form an endpoint.\n\n9. An observable or measurable biological event or chemical concentration (e.g., metabolite concentration in a target tissue) used as an index of an effect of a chemical exposure. [EPA 2003]",
  "subject": "Science and research",
  "references": [
    "Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Glossary; EPA 2003",
    "Sediment Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Glossary",
    "Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS) Glossary of Terms",
    "Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment",
    "EPA 1998a",
    "EPA Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment Glossary EPA/630/P-02/001F May 2003 EPA Risk Assessment Forum at oaspub.epa.gov/eims",
    "EPA Report on the Environment Glossary at http://www.epa.gov/ncea/roe/glossary.htm; Report on the Environment (ROE) Glossary",
    "EPA Guidelines to Assessing Regional Vulnerabilities at http://www.epa.gov/reva/docs/guidelines_reva_20080627.pdf"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/endpoint/"
}