TY - JOUR

T1 - Good modeling practice guidelines for applying multimedia models in chemical assessments

AU - Buser, Andreas

AU - MacLeod, Matthew

AU - Scheringer, Martin

AU - Mackay, Donald

AU - Bonnell, Mark

AU - Russell, Mark

AU - DePinto, Joe

AU - Hungerbuehler, Konrad

PY - 2012/10

Y1 - 2012/10

N2 - Multimedia mass balance models of chemical fate in the environment have been used for over 3 decades in a regulatory context to assist decision making. As these models become more comprehensive, reliable, and accepted, there is a need to recognize and adopt principles of Good Modeling Practice (GMP) to ensure that multimedia models are applied with transparency and adherence to accepted scientific principles. We propose and discuss 6 principles of GMP for applying existing multimedia models in a decision-making context, namely 1) specification of the goals of the model assessment, 2) specification of the model used, 3) specification of the input data, 4) specification of the output data, 5) conduct of a sensitivity and possibly also uncertainty analysis, and finally 6) specification of the limitations and limits of applicability of the analysis. These principles are justified and discussed with a view to enhancing the transparency and quality of model-based assessments.

AB - Multimedia mass balance models of chemical fate in the environment have been used for over 3 decades in a regulatory context to assist decision making. As these models become more comprehensive, reliable, and accepted, there is a need to recognize and adopt principles of Good Modeling Practice (GMP) to ensure that multimedia models are applied with transparency and adherence to accepted scientific principles. We propose and discuss 6 principles of GMP for applying existing multimedia models in a decision-making context, namely 1) specification of the goals of the model assessment, 2) specification of the model used, 3) specification of the input data, 4) specification of the output data, 5) conduct of a sensitivity and possibly also uncertainty analysis, and finally 6) specification of the limitations and limits of applicability of the analysis. These principles are justified and discussed with a view to enhancing the transparency and quality of model-based assessments.

KW - Chemistry

KW - Decision making

KW - Good practice

KW - Hazard assessment

KW - Industrial chemicals

KW - Modeling

KW - Multimedia models

KW - Risk assessment

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84874139111&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/ieam.1299

DO - 10.1002/ieam.1299

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 22318971

VL - 8

SP - 703

EP - 708

JO - International Environmental Assessment Policy & Management

JF - International Environmental Assessment Policy & Management

SN - 1757-5605

IS - 4

ER -