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Issue 59,
25 November 2010
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Nanomaterials: challenges for risk assessment
Wim De Jong, Vice-Chair, Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)
Nanotechnologies offer the possibility to develop a variety of new materials and products with a potential to contribute to all areas of society. High expectations exist for medical applications (e.g. drug delivery, imaging techniques), the energy sector (e.g. energy storage, solar panels) and material science (e.g. lighter, stronger materials).
However, the use of nanotechnologies creates major challenges for risk assessors and regulators, such as how to determine when a material can be considered a nanomaterial. The EU is currently preparing a new action plan on nanosciences and nanotechnologies to address the related policy challenges.
Nanomaterial is simply a categorization of a material by the size of its constituent parts (usually between 1 and 100 nm). It neither implies a specific risk, nor does it necessarily mean that the material actually has new hazardous properties. It also does not provide any information on its toxicity profile.
Some of the concerns regarding nanomaterials come from uncertainty as to whether the tests currently used for hazard identification and risk assessment for "classic" chemical substances can also be applied to nanomaterials. Current risk assessment methodology is sufficiently flexible to be applied to nanomaterials. And most existing toxicological and ecotoxicological methods are likely to be appropriate for identifying the associated hazards.
However, it can not be assumed that current scientific knowledge has identified all potential adverse effects of nanomaterials. So some adaptations or additional tests may be necessary to come up with a complete description of possible hazards of nanomaterials. In addition, for a proper risk assessment, information is necessary on the actual exposure of humans and the environment to nanomaterials.
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Public consultation on nanomaterial definition
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how to define 'nanomaterial'. Stakeholders can submit their suggestions online.
Public consultation on nanomaterial definition
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how to define 'nanomaterial'. Stakeholders can submit their suggestions online.
Commission decision on the awarding of grants for proposals for 2010
The European Commission has adopted the decision for awarding financial assistance to contribution to specific actions in the form of Pprojects, conferences, operating grants and joint actions.
Commission decision on the awarding of grants for proposals for 2010
The European Commission has adopted the decision for awarding financial assistance to contribution to specific actions in the form of Pprojects, conferences, operating grants and joint actions.
Multidrug resistant bacteria remain a public health issue in Europe
With annually up to 400,000 patients reported to suffer from infections resistant to multiple antibiotics, the ECDC data show that antibiotic resistance remains a public health problem across the European Union.
Multidrug resistant bacteria remain a public health issue in Europe
With annually up to 400,000 patients reported to suffer from infections resistant to multiple antibiotics, the ECDC data show that antibiotic resistance remains a public health problem across the European Union.
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Belgium
How do you take care of your arteries?
The Belgian and Luxembourg cardiology societies have launched a website with practical tips about how to take care of your arteries and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
United Kingdom
Dementia accounts for 15% of deaths in England
Dementia accounts for approximately 15% of all deaths in England according to a report by the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network (NEoLCIN).
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21st Century Healthcare for Europe (Brussels, 3 December 2010)
The main players in Europe’s healthcare sector will participate in a one-day healthcare conference at the Belgian Senate on how to reduce inequalities in provision and promote innovation.
International Health Promotion Awards (Rome, 6 - 7 December 2010)
Winners and nominees will share successful healthcare strategies at a symposium of leading thinkers, government officials, NGOs, healthcare associations and corporations.
Diabetes prevention, people and politics – A grand challenge (Brussels, 8 December 2010)
This event will address challenges and opportunities in involving all sectors of society in the prevention of diabetes.
Eurovaccine Conference (Stockholm, 10 December 2010)
This conference provides a platform to exchange information and best practice between professionals working in regulation, policy, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of immunisation activities in Europe.
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Obesity rising in developing countries, warns OECD
The OECD report assesses obesity levels in six countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are pushing obesity rates rapidly toward those seen in OECD countries, where half the population is overweight.
Obesity rising in developing countries, warns OECD
The OECD report assesses obesity levels in six countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are pushing obesity rates rapidly toward those seen in OECD countries, where half the population is overweight.
Working to eliminate tuberculosis
This follow-up report to the Framework Action Plan to Fight Tuberculosis in the EU proposes a monitoring framework to assess progress towards that goal.
Working to eliminate tuberculosis
This follow-up report to the Framework Action Plan to Fight Tuberculosis in the EU proposes a monitoring framework to assess progress towards that goal.
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EU Health Prize for Journalists 2010 – awards ceremony
On 30 November 2010, the national finalists will participate in a seminar on EU health issues and receive their awards. They will meet John Dalli, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, and the Director General, Paola Testori Coggi.
EU Health Prize for Journalists 2010 – awards ceremony
On 30 November 2010, the national finalists will participate in a seminar on EU health issues and receive their awards. They will meet John Dalli, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, and the Director General, Paola Testori Coggi.
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Nanomaterials: challenges for risk assessment
Activities at EU level
Nanotechnology
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
Industrial Technologies
European Commission – DG Research
Nanoelectronics
European Commission – DG Research
Nanomaterials
European Commission - DG Environment
Nanotechnology research
European Commission - Joint Research Centre
Nanotechnology
European Commission - Joint Research Centre
Health Programme Projects
Safety evaluation of manufactured nanomaterials by characterisation of their potential genotoxic hazard (NANOGENOTOX)
This joint action aims to establish a robust methodology for assessing the potential genotoxicity of manufactured nanomaterials and to generate data on the genotoxic effect of certain reference materials.
Other interesting links
European Committee for Standardization - Nanotechnologies
OECD - Nanotechnology
OECD - Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials
WHO - Guidelines on nanomaterials and workers' health
WHO - Nanotechnology and food safety
EEB - European Environmental Bureau
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