Computational modelling for the sustainable management of chemicals

This commentary explores the contribution of computational toxicology to chemical safety assessment in the context of the broad policy challenges faced by the European Union. The state of the European Environment is considered from the perspective of chemical contributions to the burden of disease and ecosystem damage. This sets the scene for highlighting research and innovation opportunities to further develop computational approaches for assessing the human health and environmental effects of chemicals. Emphasis is placed on focus topics that are particularly relevant to the political priorities of the new European Commission. In particular, two of the six priorities are discussed - “The European Green Deal” and “A Europe fit for a Digital Age”. The former includes the zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment, including the need to develop safe and sustainable chemicals, while the latter includes the challenges and opportunities posed by Artificial Intelligence. This commentary is based on a presentation given at the 19th meeting of The Italian Society of Toxicology (SITOX), held in Bologna, Italy, in February 2020.