Identification/characterisation of NM-based biocidal agent |
Knowledge on the key characteristics that influence the release, exposure, behaviour, effects and subsequent environmental and human risks of NMs. |
Reasonably priced, accessible, standardized and validated methods and procedures to characterize NM in different media according to the EC definition. |
Transformation of NM-based biocidal agent |
Knowledge on the circumstances, extent and rate of dissolution; change of the structure of NM throughout the different stages of their life cycle. |
Life Cycle Assessment in different biological and environmental matrices; standardized and validated methods to test or predict the extent and rates of the transformation of NMs. |
Dose metrics |
Dose that determines a particular response in a test system; production volume of the substance; dose levels at which toxicity effects are observed in experimental tests and which can be compared to the estimated exposure levels to estimate the risk. |
Development and use of standardized protocols for sample preparation and characterization of NM within exposure and toxicity studies; identification of the most appropriate metrics for each type of NM within each specific route of exposure and toxicological endpoint. |
Extrapolation |
Information (on physico-chemical characteristics, exposure and/or hazard) of different forms, types and sizes of NMs (or the bulk material) for extrapolation, read across or grouping within the risk assessment of NMs. |
Development of nano-specific approaches for extrapolation, interpolation, read across and grouping based on the key characteristics/properties that influence the release, exposure, behaviour (fate and kinetics), effects (hazards) and subsequent risks of NMs. |
Fate and kinetics |
Interaction of NMs with their environment that change their physico-chemical characteristics, including their surface composition, ability to aggregate, agglomerate and/or dissolve. |
Knowledge on the key characteristics that influence the fate, behaviour and kinetics of NM with respect to the life cycle assessment of nanoproducts (including the release of NMs from products). |