DynamiCROP

The text on this page is taken from an equivalent page of the IEHIAS-project.

The dynamiCROP model is an aspatial, dynamic framework for the quantification and valuation of human health impacts caused by the direct application of plant protection products onto agricultural field crops, such as wheat, and subsequent intake by humans via ingestion. The modelling framework is based on a crop-specific multi-compartment system and analyzes the mass evolution in the different compartments of the system over time. The underlying analytical first order differential equations are solved by means of matrix algebra. Despite the fact that the dynamiCROP model domain is aspatial, the assessment of human health impacts can be performed in a spatial differentiated way according to the underlying input parameters, such as application pattern, crop production area, population etc.

Model description

Purpose

The purpose of dynamiCROP is to dynamically analyze the ingestion pathway of different plant protection products. The dynamiCROP model provides risk and/or impact assessments (based on intake fractions) in the form of effect and/or characterisation factors (EFs/CFs) and/or concentration/exposure-response relationships for human health from indirect exposure via ingestion of food products based on direct application of plant protection products [soon: and indirect emission into the environment].

Boundaries

Field(s) of model: Multimedia; Vegetation; Exposure; Impact Assessment; Integrated Assessment system; Monetary Valuation

Spatial coverage: Aspatial

Spatial resolution: n/a

Temporal coverage: Usually one year

Temporal resolution: Dynamic solution with one day steps (may be defined differently by the user, e.g. minutes)

Pollutants / Stressors / Agents covered: Plant protection products

Health effects: Generic cancer and non-cancer effects (taken from LCIA)

Population subgroups considered: Yes, if defined by user

Source types of emissions / sectors: Releases to all environmental media from agriculture (for plant protection products) and from all sectors, if defined by user

Input

Data type: Daily averages, often based on more or less detailed background information

Data sources: Various

Data format: Various

Database type: ASCII file or CSV file

Output

Data type: Point estimates (with uncertainty ranges)

Data sources: Different modules of the dynamiCROP framework

Data format: ASCII files; CSV files

Description of processes modelled and of technical details

Operating System: WINDOWS

Software requirements: MATLAB; Spreadsheet Link EX Toolbox; MS Excel

Developed by: dynamiCROP is being developed by the dynamiCROP team