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The 2-FUN project has achieved something rather unique; a collection of models for the transport of contaminants in the environment, the uptake of biota to the exposure of the human body, which can be combined to conduct a full chain risk assessment starting with the contamination of a region and ending with the risk to people living there.
The 2-FUN multi-media modelling tool allows the user to assemble a model for a specific scenario, select contaminants, entering input data and parameter values and finally to run deterministic (best estimate) or probabilistic (Monte Carlo) simulations. After a simulation is complete, charts and tables can be created for the simulation outputs. When running probabilistic simulations, the user can also investigate the impact of uncertain parameters on the simulation outputs (sensitivity analysis). Finally a report can be generated that includes all information - model equations, input data, parameter values to simulation results.
This tool is based on the risk assessment software Ecolego Player. Ecolego Player is a free software for Ecolego, the simulation modelling tool with which the models are implemented. This is why this document sometimes refer to the manual of Ecolego Player.
Included with the software is a library of models. For each model inputs and outputs are defined, so that the model can be connected to other models.
The models are divided into two main categories; models for metallic substances and models for organic substances. It is possible to conduct risk assessments with both metallic and organic substances, but this requires that you add two model components for each part of the landscape.
The models are further grouped into four sub-categories:
Three models are included.
These models calculate the concentration in foodstuffs. You select models that reflect the diet of the investigated population. Each model has a parameter “ingestion rate” where you define how much (kg/day) a person in the investigated region consumes of this particular food.
The effect of contaminants on the body is very specific to the substance which makes the development of a generic model difficult. The 2-FUN software has PBPK (Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic) models for the following substances:
For some substances there are dose response models that, given concentrations of contaminants in different organs, calculate the risk of illness.
The user interface of the software will guide you through the steps needed:
Context Page
Create a new project. Describe the focus of the assessment. Select contaminants from the list of available substances or add new substances if they are missing in the list.
Model Page
Create the model. Depending on the scenario - do you want to model transport of contaminants in the environement or begin with the exposure of humans - you select models from the built-in library. The software will help you, as far as possible, to connect the models.
Time Series Page
Enter time dependent input data. Each model may contain references to input data that you must enter, such as precipitation, temperature or contamination rates.
Parameters Page
Enter parameter values. For uncertain parameters you can enter probability density functions (PDFs).
Simulation Page
Run a simulation.
Result Charts Page
Create charts for the simulation outputs.
Result Charts Page
Create tables for the simulation outputs.
Report Page
Create a report detailing the model, inputs and simulation results.