Chapter 14 – Emerging Tools in the Assessment of Metals: Current Applicability

Abstract In addition to the approaches and tools currently used for the risk management of complex inorganic materials, new tools are being developed or further adapted towards the specificities of inorganic materials. Quantitative ion–character activity relationships and adverse outcome pathway analysis are promising tools to predict toxic effects or mode of actions for less data rich substances and can help to prioritise critical substances or constituents and endpoints. Promising models for predicting the combined toxicity of inorganics are being developed and can support decision-making for constituent-based risk assessment of complex inorganic materials. Life-cycle assessment approaches are a valuable tool to assess and compare impacts from substances or processes on a range of endpoints. However, such approaches need further standardisation and implementation of the inorganics’ specifics to allow a sound comparison of impacts from different types of (inorganic) materials. When further developed and accepted, all these tools will add to the risk management of complex inorganic materials.