English Abstract This report describes the concept of the computer
program PECker and includes a manual. The program PECker has been designed
to calculate the Potential Environmental Concentration (PEC) for aquatic
organisms nearby a source of pollution. The PEC is not presented as an
absolute number. The general approach which is followed implies
uncertainties and variations in all parameters. These uncertainties are
estimated as well. The program was designed to enable a quick risk
assessment for new substances notified in the EC for which a base set of
data (e.g. the physicochemical properties, function and applications,
toxicity for aquatic organisms) is available. In future PECker can be
expanded to cover the PEC for air and soil. The data on the expected
releases into the environment due to the function and application of
substances are based on studies carried out for several studies for specific
applications of substances. The data for the releases are presented in
chapter 4.
