Table 4 Mentioned uncertainties in selected review papers
Uncertainties | Specification (quantity) |
|---|---|
Measurement uncertainties | No adequate analytical methods (5) |
Conflicting results | Toxicity studies (2); variability in size, shape, crystallinity, and coatings (2); low amount of data (1); effect of DOM on stability (1); size effect on transport in porous media (1); modeled data (1) |
Method uncertainty | No standardized methods and reference materials (6); different/poor characterization (2); risk assessment (2) |
Lack of data | Fate (8) and behavior (7) in environmental systems and many specified mechanisms (9); interactions with natural components and contaminants and their effects (5); impact of released nanomaterials on the environment/ecosystems (4); effects of coatings or organic matter on behavior and effects (3); correlation of ENM properties with respect to similar effects (2); different special issues related to fate and effects (8) |
Transferability to environment | Toxicity test (3) |
Transferability to other nanoparticles | Variability in size, shape, crystallinity, and coatings (2) |
Applicability of models | DLVO and filtration theories (3); conventional ecotoxicity tests (3); size dependence of dissolution (2) |
Knowledge gap | Quantitative data on environmental concentration (4); form, route, and mass of released nanomaterials (3); behavior at environmentally relevant concentrations and forms (1); production volumes and types (1); fate of embedded nanomaterials (1); surface structure, characteristics, and energetics (1) |