A prototype software for human exposure assessment to chemicals was developed under the 2-Fun project (funded from the EU's Sixth Framework Programme). The ongoing 4FUN project (funded from the EU's Seventh Framework Programme) aims to innovate and exploit this prototype software in order to standardise it, transfer it to stakeholders and guarantee its long term viability. The software is named MERLIN-Expo and contains a library of models for exposure assessment coupling environmental multimedia and pharmacokinetic models. In order to reach one of the aims of the project, and then to optimize the design of the software, the MERLIN-Expo and other exposure tools were evaluated. Based on a literature review, a list of existing exposure tools similar to MERLIN-Expo, was created to cover a wide range of exposure situations. Next, all exposure models were reviewed using a transparent and objective framework based on a comprehensive list of scoring factors. A list of criteria was set up to structure the characteristics of the exposure tools. These criteria were divided into two categories: general and framework/context specific criteria. The general criteria were transferred into questions and scored on importance by an expert panel. The specific criteria received a score based on their applicability and importance in a certain type of framework. The following regulatory driven frameworks were considered: REACH regulation, Plant Protection Products Regulation, environmental/spatial oriented directives, Food oriented directives, etc.. After scoring the criteria, a list of exposure models (such as EUSES, MERLIN-Expo, CalTOX, USETOX, etc�) was evaluated using the Multi-Criteria Decision analysis (MCDA) to rank the different exposure models per framework. This methodology helped to determine the strengths and weaknesses of exposure models, including MERLIN-Expo, and to determine the suitability of a model towards a certain type of regulatory framework.

Evaluation of exposure models and their link to regulatory frameworks within the 4FUN project

248th National Meeting (2014)

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