Engineered nanoparticles are used in a variety of industrial materials, such as ceramics and advanced polymers. Also, they are commonly used in the production of household materials, cosmetics and textiles. Generally speaking, nanoparticles are considered a pollutant risk if they are able to accumulate in the environment (even though, according to some recent research, nanoparticles might even have beneficial effects for biological organisms). Besides that, they are regarded to as health risks for consumers and at the workplace. Health risks can concern Immunology, Neurology, Gentox, Allergenicity and other domains.

When dealing with possible risk, hazardous properties must be analyzed on the on hand and actual exposure on the other. There are several reasons which suggest that nanomaterials could conceal risks:

• The special (physical-chemical) properties of a nanomaterial, e.g. large, highly reactive (reaction-promoting) surfaces;
• Special behaviour inside the body, e.g. a long retention time and the overcoming of natural biological barriers;
• The increased contamination that is to be expected by their release.

For further information:

The Online-Science Magazine The Conversation provides an overview on recent discussion about questions of risk and risk assessment related to nanomaterials. See also: S. Dekkers et al.’s journal article, “Towards a nanospecific approach for risk assessment”, published in Regulatory Toxikology and Pharmacology. German readers might have a look at the University St. Gallen’s report “Wie können Versicherer mit Nano-Risiken umgehen?“

Older works include:

- Bericht des Ausschusses für Bildung, Forschung und Technikfolgenabschätzung des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksache 15/2713 [German only] (2004)

- OECD/Allianz: Opportunies and risks of Nanotechnolgies (2005)

- Swiss Re: Nanotechnology. Small matter, many unknowns (2004)

- (2006-2011)

Institutions

Institutions and professional bodies from different areas are concerned with the assessment of risks associated with nanotechnology:

a) Government

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Germany

• Health aspects of nanotechnology
• Q & A on Nanotechnology

EFSA Scientific Network of Risk Assessment of Nanotechnologies in Food and Feed

• Annual report

OECD

• Safety of manufactured nanomaterials

UBA (Umweltbundesamt), Germany

• Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Risks

b) Science

HSPH-Niehs Nanosafety Center

• The Center brings together scientists from across disciplines (material science, chemistry, exposure assessment, risk assessment, nanotoxicology and nanobiology) to assess the potential Environmental Health and safety (EHS) implications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). The Center unites researchers from Harvard University, the MIT, the University of Maine and the University of Florida.

Nanotoxicology

• Academic journal focusing on research relating to the potential for human and environmental exposure, hazard and risk associated with the use and development of nano-structured materials.

NanoImpact

• Multidisciplinary journal focusing on nanosafety research and areas related to the impacts of manufactured nanomaterials on human and environmental systems and the behavior of nanomaterials in these systems.

c) Industry

SAFENANO

• Established as a Centre of Excellence in Nanosafety in 2006 at the UK’s Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), SAFENANO provides industry, academia and governments with independent authoritative expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to enable effective risk management.