RISK-HUNT3R: Hunting Down Chemical Risks Without Animals
Why Next-Generation Risk Assessment Needs New Approach Methodologies
Chemical safety decisions have long relied on animal testing, but the scale of modern chemical production makes that model increasingly impractical. Thousands of substances lack the toxicological data needed to judge human and environmental safety. The RISK-HUNT3R project, funded under the EU Horizon 2020 programme and connected to the ASPIS cluster, responds to this gap by integrating new approach methodologies into next-generation risk assessment. The goal is not to abandon protection, but to strengthen it with faster, more human-relevant science.
New approach methodologies, often shortened to NAMs, include in silico models, in vitro assays, omics technologies, and computational toxicology. RISK-HUNT3R brings these tools together so that hazard identification, exposure assessment, and risk characterisation can be performed without defaulting to animal experiments.
Building an Integrated Framework for Chemical Safety
The project does not treat NAMs as isolated alternatives. Instead, it integrates them into a single workflow that moves from chemical structure to biological pathway to real-world exposure. This integration is what turns scattered methods into a credible next-generation risk assessment.
Researchers combine mechanistic data with kinetic modelling and uncertainty analysis. The result is a tiered approach: simple screening first, deeper investigation only when needed. This saves time, reduces cost, and focuses scientific attention where risk is most likely.
| Assessment Layer | Method Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hazard screening | In silico and read-across | Flag substances of concern |
| Mechanistic profiling | In vitro and omics assays | Identify affected pathways |
| Exposure and risk | Modelling and biomonitoring | Estimate real-life risk |
From Data to Decisions: The Role of Integration
A central challenge is trust. Regulators, industry, and the public need confidence that NAM-based conclusions are protective. RISK-HUNT3R addresses this through transparent validation, defined applicability domains, and case studies that compare NAM outputs with known toxicological outcomes.
The project also develops computational platforms that organise diverse data streams. These platforms help assessors combine evidence rather than rely on a single test result. As one project contributor explained,
The future of risk assessment lies in integrating evidence, not in replacing one test with another.
Key Contributions of the RISK-HUNT3R Approach
- Integration of multiple NAMs into one assessment workflow.
- Reduced reliance on animal testing for hazard and risk decisions.
- Improved human relevance through pathway-based toxicology.
- Open tools and data that support regulatory acceptance.
These contributions align with the broader ASPIS cluster mission: to advance safety assessment through collaboration and innovation. RISK-HUNT3R shows that next-generation risk assessment is not a distant concept but an active, testable framework.
Steps Toward Regulatory and Scientific Acceptance
- Define the problem and the decision context.
- Select and combine appropriate NAMs.
- Evaluate uncertainty and biological relevance.
- Communicate results clearly to risk managers.
By following such structured steps, RISK-HUNT3R helps ensure that new approach methodologies are used responsibly and consistently. The project ultimately supports a future where chemical risks are hunted down with precision, speed, and fewer animals.