UV Filter Environmental Hazard Scoring Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing the environmental impact of ultraviolet (UV) filters in products like sunscreens do not adequately consider available experimental physical-chemical, ecotoxicological, and environmental fate data, leading to incomplete evaluations of their environmental friendliness.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to determine an environmental profile of UV filters using data from various sources, including study reports, scientific literature, and governmental authorities, which includes evaluating biodegradation, bioaccumulation, acute and chronic aquatic toxicity, and sediment toxicity, and assigning an overall environmental hazard score to rank their eco-friendliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing grading systems based on supplier environmental practices or individual component toxicity are used to assess environmental impact, then the assessment process is simple, but the evaluation is incomplete and does not consider all available experimental data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impact evaluation completenessVSAvoidassessment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assessment system is segmented into distinct functional modules: data collection module that gathers physical-chemical and ecotoxicological data from multiple sources, data processing module that integrates and analyzes the collected data, and scoring module that generates environmental hazard scores. This segmentation allows comprehensive data consideration while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed as a universal assessment platform that can evaluate multiple UV filters and various types of environmental data (biodegradation, bioaccumulation, toxicity, sediment effects) through a single integrated framework. The multi-functional design enables the system to process diverse data types and provide comprehensive environmental impact assessments without requiring separate assessment tools for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive experimental physical-chemical, ecotoxicological and environmental fate data are collected and analyzed, then the environmental hazard assessment becomes more accurate, but the time and resources required for assessment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental hazard assessment accuracyVSAvoidassessment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data collection and organization from multiple sources (study reports, scientific literature, governmental authorities) before the actual assessment. Physical-chemical data, ecotoxicological data, and environmental fate data are preprocessed and structured in advance, creating a ready-to-analyze data foundation that accelerates the subsequent assessment process while ensuring comprehensive data coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where assessment results and identified data gaps inform subsequent data collection efforts. The environmental hazard scoring system provides feedback on which parameters require more detailed investigation, enabling iterative refinement of assessments without repeating entire evaluation processes, thus reducing overall assessment time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3785028B1UV filter compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 BASF SE
  • EP3785028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are ultraviolet (UV) filter compositions and methods relating to their preparation and use. The compositions and related method of preparation may include combining at least one or at least two UV filters with at least one other ingredient, wherein each of the UV filters is selected to have an overall environmental hazard score of 1.5 to 7.0, and determining an ecotoxicological value of the composition, wherein the ecotoxicological value ranges from0 to 350.