Optimal ranking of nanotoxicity assesement methods using interval-valued neutrosophic multicriteria decision making

Abstract

The technological progression has presently landed in the exploration of nanotechnology, a segment of science dealing with the applications of nano particles. The extensive pros of the objects scaled to 10-9 nm finds prime position in industrial and medical applications. The robust attributes of nano particles have also attracted the production sectors to integrate in their product production and this has further accelerated the growth of nanotechnology, but at the same time, the harmful impacts of these nano particles on the biological and environmental systems have paved way for the emerge of Nanotoxicology, a study of nano toxins. Lack of wide-ranging regulations of the utility of nano materials is one of the contributing factors for gloomy assessment of nanotoxicity. Researches over many decades have devised many in vitro methods of nanotoxicity assessment which differs from one another in their efficacy. This paper is intended to rank these in vitro methods using a multicriteria decision making model with interval – valued neutrosophic values representing the weights of criteria and expert’s opinion. The optimal ranking of the in vitro methods such as Proliferative assay, Apoptosis assay, Necrosis assay, Oxidative Stress assay and Inflammatory assay is based on the feedback of three experts and five criteria namely Cost Effective, Efficiency in mitigating the generation of toxic wastes, Accuracy in quantitative indices, Robust Nature and Consistency in results. This research work will certainly assist the decision makers on the assessment of nano risks in its exposure to the external environment.