Introduction to Multiscale Modeling for One Health Approaches

The accelerating introduction of novel chemicals and materials calls for innovative safety assessment methodologies that extend beyond conventional animal-based testing, focusing on predictive and pre-emptive hazard evaluation. Frameworks such as Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbDSafe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)) advocate for embedding safety and sustainability into the development and manufacturing processes of new materials. Simultaneously, the One HealthOne health concept, which emphasizes the interconnected well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems, complements these efforts through an integrated approach. A thorough understanding of the biological processes impacted by chemical and material exposures is essential for hazard identification. This understanding requires multiscale modelingMultiscale modeling to accurately represent material-biological interactions across different biological levels. This chapter provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of mechanistic toxicologyMechanistic toxicology and examines the role of multiscale modelingMultiscale modeling in overcoming challenges in current material safety assessment. It underscores how these approaches support One HealthOne health principles and promote the safe and sustainable design of novel materials, thereby bridging safety and sustainability in the advancement of chemicals and materials.