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Models & Methods

Important: Use Measured Data if Available

Screening-level methods have inherent uncertainties and should not be used to replace measured data from properly conducted studies.

This page lists screening-level models and methods used in the Sustainable Futures Initiative to screen chemicals for potential hazards or risk. Screening models should not be used if measured data are available and model results must be carefully interpreted. Read information on how to properly interpret results from these models using EPA's New Chemicals Program criteria provided in the Interpretative Assistance documents.

For a PDF copy of the presentation on these models and methods please contact Kelly Mayo-Bean, U.S. EPA (mayo.kelly@epa.gov).

EPI Suite™ estimates physical / chemical properties (melting point, water solubility, etc.) and environmental fate properties (breakdown in water or air, etc.) which can indicate where a chemical will go in the environment and how long it will stay there.
Download EPI Suite

ECOSAR predicts toxicity of chemicals released into water to aquatic life (fish, algae and invertebrates).
Download ECOSAR

PBT Profiler screens chemicals for potential to persist, bioaccumulate, and be toxic.
PBT Profiler, Version 1.3 Exit EPA Disclaimer (model is an online tool and cannot be downloaded)

OncoLogic™, Version 7.0, is a computer software program designed to predict the potential cancer-causing effects of a chemical by applying the rules of structure activity relationship (SAR) analysis and incorporating knowledge of how chemicals cause cancer in animals and humans.
Download OncoLogic

Analog Identification Methodology (AIM) identifies close structural analogs that have measured data and points to sources where those data can be found. Click here for information on AIM. AIM is currently unavailable. Pending the availability of appropriated funds needed to update the static databases contained in AIM, an updated version of AIM will be made available on this web site. Check back on this web site for updates.

NonCancer Screening Protocol is a stepwise process (not a computerized method) useful for screening untested chemicals for non-cancer health effects and is described in the P2 Framework Manual June 2005 (PDF) (178 pp., 4.5MB) and is provided here in HTM format.
Download NonCancer Screening Protocol

ChemACE (Chemical Assessment Clustering Engine) is a new tool developed by OPPT to instantly “cluster” all chemicals in a large user defined inventory in a single run using structural characteristics. ChemACE is still under development and is being made available on a restricted site for beta testing and comment. To participate in the beta test, please contact Kendra Moran (moran.kendra@epa.gov) for access to the tool. The methodology is further described in the ChemACE Summary (PDF) (1 pp, 20KB)

E-FAST estimates chemical releases and dose rates to humans from these releases.
Download E-FAST

ChemSTEER estimates environmental releases and worker exposures resulting from chemical manufacture, processing, and/or use in industrial and commercial workplaces.
Download ChemSTEER

New Methods Developed through Sustainable Futures
Under the umbrella of Sustainable Futures, industry partners, environmental advocates, and EPA staff scientists have worked together to develop new screening methods that are being made publicly available at no cost. Many of the new methods capture expertise of EPA experts. Examples are the PBT Profiler and AIM. The PBT Profiler Exit EPA Disclaimer , was developed by EPA together with representatives from leading chemical companies, chemical trade associations, and Environmental Defense, an NGO, and was released to the public in September 2002. The PBT Profiler, which uses a subset of EPI Suite™ models, was designed to assist the user in interpretation of results by automatically comparing estimations to EPA criteria. The Analog Identification Methodology (AIM) was developed to address needs identified by participants in the Sustainable Futures Initiative. For chemicals lacking data an indication of the potential hazards of the untested chemical can be estimated using data on a close structural analog. Finding close structural analogs with data is often is the most challenging step in using screening models. AIM was developed to identify close analogs that have measured data and it points to sources where those data can be found.

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