Nanotechnology: promoting opportunities, minimising risks

© Rike/pixelio

© Rike/pixelio

© Schwarz/pixelio

© Fraunhofer

View large image in photo gallery

Nanotechnology is gaining increasing importance for the development of new products and applications worldwide. A recently published background paper of the German Federal Environmental Agency warns against the possible hazards associated with synthetically produced nanoparticles, which might be greater than assumed so far. Specific assessment strategies are now called for.

It is uncontested that nanotechnology impacts many branches of industry and is one of today’s key unrivalled technologies. In particular, the USA, Japan and the European Union are investing heavily in the opportunities presented by these new materials and markets. However, as important as development and progress in this field are, it is also important that risk assessments of the possible effects of these systems are carried out. These can include “envisionable” risks such as the idea of intelligent nanosystems that get out of control potentially endangering both man and the environment. However, there are also concrete risks that exist even today which are recognised worldwide and currently undergoing gradual research. The focus here has been on nano-particle dust which can sometimes penetrate deep into the human body. All in all, major knowledge lapses still exist in this area.

Unexplored hazards

A background paper recently published by the Federal Environmental Agency in Germany caused further disquiet all the more as it confirms the potential hazards resulting from the industrial use of nanotechnology. Initial studies carried out over the past few years showed that particles measuring only one millionth of a millimetre can enter the human body primarily through the respiratory tract, skin and mouth. Being so tiny they can even advance into the lung where they can cause inflammation and lung diseases. Their reduced size is said to even allow them to transfer from the lung into the bloodstream. And some carbon nano tubes are even suspected of producing the same kind of detrimental effects on the human organism as asbestos does, thereby drastically increasing the risk of lung cancer. This means that synthetic nanoparticles are especially dangerous in cosmetics because they enter the body quickly through the skin. Non-enclosed nano-particles such as found in sun lotions or textiles penetrate the body via the skin or air passages.

Identifying and minimising risks

So far companies have not been obliged to label the products that contain synthetic nanoparticles. This means that consumers have not been able to see whether they acquire, use or consume products optimised with the help of nano-particles.
Based on these findings the German Federal Environmental Agency even recommends avoiding the use of products that contain and potentially release nanomaterials entirely – as long as their effects on man and environment are largely unknown. There are demands for a legal framework to be created for the safe handling of nanomaterials. A crucial step, it is said, was a notification system for nanomaterials in the form of a product register. The basic prerequisite for any regulations concerning nanomaterials, however, is their unambiguous definition, which also has to be developed further.

Specific assessment strategy required

In the meantime the European Parliament has adopted the first regulations specifying the approval, safety inspection and labelling of nanomaterials in consumer products. A new Cosmetic (Products Safety) Regulation and a new Novel-Food Regulation are hoped to regulate the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products and food. The basis for these regulations are the definitions of nano-materials. REACH, (EC) Regulation No. 1907/2006 for the Registration, Evaluation, Approval and Restriction of Chemicals, would in principle be suited here as a central European rule for cataloguing and managing the risks associated with nanomaterials for health and the environment. However, so far this regulation does not contain any specific reference to nanomaterials. A EU Working Group (Subgroup on Nanomaterials from the Meetings of the REACH and CLP Competent Authorities) has started working on rules, legal specifications and implementation guidelines that are hoped to ensure that the specific risks attached to nanomaterials are safely identified and evaluated so that appropriate risk management measures can be developed. This is because nanomaterials require an adapted, specific assessment strategy.

The fact is nanotechnology is likely to trigger numerous innovative developments in many different areas and fields of application. Nanotechnology products will in many cases also make it possible to use raw materials and energy more efficiently and to reduce pollutant emissions while reducing energy consumption. In order to leverage this new technology in an optimum way research of the incredible opportunities must be accompanied by identifying, assessing and minimising risks. To this end the manufacturers are now called upon to disclose their results for risk assessment.