The CHIASMA’s Central Objective is to develop a new and improved Safety and Sustainable by Design Assessment framework based on innovative, in-project validated in vitro and in silico methods New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and data for the next generation of hazard- & risk assessment of chemicals and materials. The developed NAMs cover main human target organs and exposure routes. The CHIASMA Assessment Framework will be based on an iterative multi-step approach based on Next Genaration Safety Assessment (NGSA) that combines chemocentric and biocentric approaches and NAMs and it will be able to predict regulatory relevant endpoints and long-term safety, together with absolute Life Cycle Impact Analysis (LCIA). Developed methods will be demonstrated for scienfic soundness and performances and for transferability (including to industrial environment), prior to submission to regulatory bodies. Demonstration of the SSbD Framework in at least three chemicals/materials groups (PFAS, 2D materials for energy applications and (nano-)pesticides), supported by the assessment of socio-economic aspects and gap analyses in the context of existing methods. Integration of the new & improved methods for expressing safety and health parameter into existing life-cycle and sustainability assessments methodologies and tools, as well as into the relevant applicable regulatory frameworks (incl. the SSbD framework). Provision of accessible data for industry and public authorities, in order to ultimately support the wider implementation of the SSbD framework and its criteria. The CHIASMA Project will run for 48 months. It is organised interdependent workflows, which will be broken down into 9 workpackages aligned with the scientific plan in order provide an optimum project-conduct and achievement of Project objectives.
SUNRISE will develop an overarching Integrated Impact Assessment Framework (IIAF) designed to support SSbD decision making along lifecycle stages and value chains of advanced materials (AdMa) and their products. The IIAF will be a 3-tiered approach with each tier corresponding to an integrated methodology for health, environmental, social and economic impact assessment (supported by a toolbox) targeting a different group of users at different stages of the innovation process and requiring a different level of data and expertise. To enable these methodologies to account for stakeholder trade-offs in decision making, we will develop them in a co creative processthat balancesthe perspectives and interests of key actorsfrom industry (including SMEs), regulation, policy, consultancy, academia, and the civil society. To facilitate cost-efficient generation of input data for the IIAF, we will develop and apply Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA), New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), as well as screening level and more advanced sustainability assessment tools based on Environmental and Social Lifecycle Assessment, Lifecycle Costing, and Circularity Analysis. The IIAF, its integrated impact assessment methodologies and the toolbox of newly proposed methods and tools will be provided as an Open & FAIR web platform, including a database, designed to support impacts-based decision making for future AdMa. These outcomes will be tested and demonstrated in industrially relevant case studies. The goal is to foster acceptance and support for the IIAF platform and the newly developed approaches to ensure their adoption and implementation by the stakeholders. The new knowledge generated in the project will be transferred to public authorities at the EU and national levels to support them in the implementation of SSbD-related policies for chemicals and materials based on improved understanding of potential safety and sustainability trade-offs.
NanoIndEx will determine personal exposure to MNMs and thoroughly investigate the possibilities of personal monitors and samplers. Those samplers and monitors, identified as suitable for assessing personal exposure to MNMs will be scrutinized in laboratory and field studies to study their accuracy and the comparability of the different samplers and monitors and to search for possible correlations between metrics. As part of this work sampling strategy guides will be developed which will include details of data collection and statistical analysis protocols.
NanoIndEx will determine personal exposure to MNMs and thoroughly investigate the possibilities of personal monitors and samplers. Those samplers and monitors, identified as suitable for assessing personal exposure to MNMs will be scrutinized in laboratory and field studies to study their accuracy and the comparability of the different samplers and monitors and to search for possible correlations between metrics. As part of this work sampling strategy guides will be developed which will include details of data collection and statistical analysis protocols.
NanoSynth will develop a synthesis platform to deliver industrial quantities of graphene-filled epoxy resins. This will have a significant effect in a wide range of markets where improvements are needed in strength, toughness, electrical conductivity and thermal performance of epoxies. Graphene is usually obtained industrially by expanding and separating graphite layers using combined thermal and chemical methods. These methods are typically energy-intensive, low yield and use large amounts of solvent. Attempts to produce and disperse graphene in situ (in the polymer) focus on viscous thermoplastic systems but little attention is being paid to low viscosity epoxy resins, despite a need to improve their properties and a world market of £9.8bn. NanoSynth will therefore develop methods for producing large-scale quantities of graphene-filled epoxy resins, using combinations of mechanical and non-contact methods to exfoliate graphite and disperse the resulting graphene directly into resin.
Naneum and IOM are collaborating to develop instrumentation and risk managment strategies, which are considered vital for the safe and sustainable exploitation of Nanotechnologies. Nanotechnologies have the potential to contribute massivley to future economic growth, providing advances in clean technologies, energy saving, new materials and healthcare products. However, there is concern that inadvertent releases of nanomaterials and other nanoproducts could risk damage to health and the environment.
The novel instrumentation,measurement techniques and risk managemnt strategies developed in this project will provide invaluable tools in controlling these risks.
The project brings together the unique capabilties of two world class organisations. IOM is a leader in its field and Naneum has launched a range of innovative instruments