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Latest EUON study identifies models and tools for computational safety assessment of nanomaterials
The European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) has published a study that analyses read-across and in silico approaches as alternative methods to conventional hazard and risk assessments for nanomaterials. It also includes expert opinions and relevant case studies.
Helsinki, 10 October 2023 – As nanomaterials can be found in more and more consumer products, such as solar cells, paints, food additives and cosmetics, their potential hazards and risks must be carefully assessed. The use of computational methods in the risk assessment process can be an alternative to speed up the assessments, avoiding animal testing and reducing costs, provided they are relevant and reliable.
The latest study by EUON brings light to the current developments in computational methods, such as read-across and in silico approaches, which can be used as alternatives in the hazard and risk assessments of nanomaterials, and to guide the design of safer and more sustainable nanomaterials.
The study identifies 190 alternative models and methodologies for hazard and risk assessment of nanomaterials. To complement these findings, several experts in the field of nanoinformatics were interviewed, and three case studies were carried out to determine whether different tools and models are applicable to nanomaterial risk assessment.
The report offers an interesting read for anyone looking for a comprehensive overview of the current state of the existing (read-across) models and tools for the in silico risk assessment of nanomaterials.
Background
The European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) is funded by the European Commission to provide information about existing nanomaterials on the EU market. The work of the EUON is to improve the availability of reliable information on nanomaterials to the public, workers, and companies in general, and SMEs in particular. To address important knowledge gaps, EUON runs two review studies on relevant and emergent topics per year.
The study “Valid in silico modelling tools and read-across approaches, including creation of case studies on read-across for specific (types of) nanomaterials” was commissioned by EUON, which is hosted and maintained by ECHA.
The study was conducted by NovaMechanics Ltd., Nicosia (Cyprus).
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