TOX-TRAIN

implementation of a TOXicity assessment Tool for pRActical evaluation of life-cycle Impacts of techNologies (TOX-TRAIN)

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'TOX-TRAIN is a 4-year project and its main objective is the development and implementation of a tool box to assess toxicological impacts related to the life-cycle of technologies. The USEtox model, developed under UNEP-SETAC auspices with contributions of the partners in this consortium, will be taken as a starting point. First, TOX-TRAIN will develop and implement estimation tools for emissions and chemical properties to USEtox for a number of compound groups, including ionic and amphiphilic substances, persistent bioaccumulating chemicals or metabolites, pesticides and biocides, substituted musks/fragrances, and metals, with a specific focus on assessing various types of uncertainty in emissions and properties. The compound groups are selected on the basis of use volumes, fate pattern complexity and main emission route relevance. The tools will be developed as open-source software. Second, the USEtox model will be extended with an indoor compartment model for typical exposure situations in working place and household settings as well as direct consumer exposure through a product (e.g. a directly applied cosmetic product). Third, a number of case studies will be performed in close collaboration between the commercial and non-commercial partners of TOX-TRAIN to test the USEtox tool box in practice. Finally, dissemination of the tool box will be done by a portfolio of actions, such as workshops, course developments, training of specific user groups, documentation material, and a user-friendly web-based implementation. In short, TOX-TRAIN will provide an excellent platform to enhance the transfer of knowledge between the commercial and noncommercial sector in the area of toxic life-cycle impact assessment of technologies. It is envisaged that the developed USEtox tool box has a great market potential as it can be directly used in the daily practice of life cycle assessment studies.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Many commonly used chemical compounds can be toxic under certain conditions or in particular environments. A new research project is updating a consensus model for comparative human and ecotoxicity assessment to include new compounds and near-field exposure settings.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Known as USEtox, the original tool was developed as part of the Life Cycle Initiative jointly run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). This tool covers toxicology assessments for chemical emissions into various environments, including urban and rural air, agricultural soil and water.

The EU-funded http://toxtrain.eu (TOX-TRAIN) project aims to improve the USEtox assessment model by incorporating exposure to near-field environments including indoor, bystander and consumer product exposure and by extending the substance coverage. It will also provide support, training and dissemination around USEtox.

Researchers completed a review of emission models and emission quantification tools. They also created and tested models of exposure for industrial, household and agricultural settings as well as for the use stage of consumer products.

Next, a list of chemicals that should be included in the updated USEtox toolbox was compiled. Several case studies are conducted to apply and evaluate the newly developed tools and databases along with the improved USEtox model.

In terms of furthering training, several workshops and short courses have been organised. These provided expert input for the project, while also boosting public awareness of TOX-TRAIN and USEtox.

Future work will focus on peer-reviewing and implementing the new tools and data into USEtox and to apply the new version in real-life settings and various comparative impact assessments.