Toxicity

The potential risks of nanomaterials: a review carried out for ECETOC
Paul J.A. Borm, David Robbins, Stephan Haubold, Thomas Kuhlbusch, Heinz Fissan, Ken Donaldson, Roel P.F. Schins, Vicki Stone, Wolfgang Kreyling, Juergen Lademann, Jean Krutmann, David Warheit, Eva Oberdorster

The draft white paper describes the technology, and provides a discussion of the potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology and its applications that can foster sustainable use of resources. Risk management issues and the Agency’s statutory mandates are outlined, followed by an extensive discussion of risk assessment issues. The paper identifies research needs for both environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology and concludes with recommendations on next steps for addressing science policy issues and research needs. Supplemental information is provided in a number of appendices.

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The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering report ‘Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties’, highlighted that many nanotechnologies pose no new health and safety risks and that concerns at this time relate to the potential impacts of engineered nanoparticles and nanotubes in a free rather than embedded form. The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering identified these materials as a priority area for research, and we agreed in our response to develop a programme of research aimed at reducing the uncertainties relating to toxicity and exposure pathways for nanoparticles, as well as developing instrumentation to monitor these in the workplace and the environment. Developing a proper understanding of their properties is an essential step to proportionate regulation of any risk from these and other engineered nanomaterials.

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Summary

• Japan and the UK, like other developed countries, are investing substantially in nanotechnologies. However, disproportionately small amounts are being spent on research to address concerns over the potential negative health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials. Significant funding is urgently needed, initially from governments, to undertake the necessary research.

The Commission, in consultation with the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), is inviting stakeholders to comment on the scientific opinion on risk assessment methods for nanotechnology products.

Particle & Fibre Toxicology has published (6 october 2005) "Principles for characterizing the potential human health effects from exposure to nanomaterials: elements of a screening strategy". This 113 pages provisional report was written by 14 authors : Gunter Oberdorster, Andrew Maynard, Ken Donaldson, Vincent Castranova, Julie Fitzpatrick, Kevin Ausman, Janet Carter, Barbara Karn, Wolfgang Kreyling, David Lai, Stephen Olin, Nancy Monteiro-Riviere, David Warheit, Hong Yang.