Simulation tool for assessing the release and environmental distribution of nanomaterials

Abstract

SummaryAn integrated simulation tool was developed for assessing the potential release and environmental distribution of nanomaterials (RedNano) based on a life cycle assessment approach and multimedia compartmental modeling coupled with mechanistic intermedia transport processes. The RedNano simulation tool and its web-based software implementation enables rapid “what-if?” scenario analysis, in order to assess the response of an environmental system to various release scenarios of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). It also allows for the investigation of the impact of geographical and meteorological parameters on ENM distribution in the environment, comparison of the impact of ENM production and potential releases on different regions, and estimation of source release rates based on monitored ENM concentrations. Moreover, the RedNano simulation tool is suitable for research, academic, and regulatory purposes. Specifically, it has been used in environmental multimedia impact assessment courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The RedNano simulation tool can also serve as a decision support tool to rapidly and critically assess the potential environmental implications of ENMs and thus ensure that nanotechnology is developed in a productive and environmentally responsible manner.

Considerations of Environmentally Relevant Test Conditions for Improved Evaluation of Ecological Hazards of Engineered Nanomaterials

“…production and release estimates) which are not readily available, making it difficult to validate model results and potentially leading to inaccurate estimates. 32, 228 …”

“…For one integrated MFA and multimedia model (MendNano and LearNano), user-defined inputs are flexible around product use and ENM release throughout material life cycles. 228 It is noted that although validation of multimedia models is a formidable task, various components of such models have been validated as well as model predictions with such models for particle-bound pollutants.…”

Detection of nanoparticles in edible plant tissues exposed to nano-copper using single-particle ICP-MS

“…To overcome this challenge, predictive tools (Nowack 2017) have been developed to generate estimates using material flow analysis at global (Keller et al 2013;Song et al 2017), continental (Lazareva and Keller 2014;Liu et al 2014;Sun et al 2017), regional (Bornhoft et al 2016;Gottschalk and Nowack 2011;Gottschalk et al 2013;Keller and Lazareva 2014;Sun et al 2014), and local levels (Keller and Lazareva 2014;Lazareva and Keller 2014). Detailed fate and transport models have recently been developed to go a step further and predict the residence time of ENMs, their concentrations, and their accumulation in environmental compartments (e.g., soils, sediments) (Dale et al 2015;Garner et al 2017;Liu et al 2015;Praetorius et al 2012;Meesters et al 2014). While these estimates can serve to bridge the gap, they rely on a large number of assumptions and generalizations and have a wide range of uncertainty.…”

Computational models for the assessment of manufactured nanomaterials: Development of model reporting standards and mapping of the model landscape

“…Two large environmental fate models have been reported: i) SimpleBoxNano (SB4N) [43] , [44] and ii) MendNano [42] , [45] . Both models consider the environment as a collection of well-mixed compartments, each representing a specific medium or biological entity, with intermediate mass transport between compartments.…”