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NanoValid project publishes its third newsletter
(Nanowerk News) Main objective of the European NanoValid project is the development of new reference methods and certified reference materials, including methods for characterization, detection/quantification, dispersion control and labelling, as well as hazard identification, exposure and risk assessment of angineered nanomaterials. In cooperation with other relevant projects (in particular MARINA, QNano and within the EU Nanosafety cluster), relevant standardization and regulatory bodies, the most suitable test materials and methods will be selected and tested, and new nanomaterials synthesized, characterized and stabilized for final method validation.
NanoValid has mobilized the critical mass of excellence, expertise and skills available in Europe and beyond, to achieve these objectives and to provide input to ongoing policy and regulatory developments (through EC committees, the EU Parliament, OECD), standards (through CEN and ISO) and industrial R&D strategy (through European Technology Platforms and industrial associations).
The project has now published its third newsletter with updates on its activities:
On page 2, Roberto Hanoi from Nanologica AB, leader of WP2 (on selection and manufacturing of test methods and materials), gives a short overview of the supply and types of the 2nd set of test materials selected and to be used by project partners, to compare the performance of the current measurement and testing methodology and to be adapted, modified, further developed and validated (in WP3) as potential candidate(s) for reference methods (in WP6). Angela Ivask from the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics (NICPB) in Tallinn, Estonia, announces the presentation of first project results on pc properties and biological effects of silver and silica nanoparticles to bacteria and environmentally relevant non-vertebrate species at the NECC2012 - Nordic Environmental Chemistry Conference", Abo Akademi, Finland, 4-7 June 2012).
On page 3, Jing Zou and Ilmari Pyykkö from the University of Tampere (UTA) also highlight exciting results received on tracing/imaging the distribution of ENMs in the human inner ear by using a specifically developed micro-CT technology. This new technique will also be applied in the toxicity study of ENMs in animals.
On page 4, a short profile of a PhD student, Steffi Böhme, joining the NanoValid team of Dana Kühnel (leader of WP4 on risk assessment) at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), is given, together with a short description of her work planned within NanoValid. Special emphasis is also given on a SOP template developed by the DaNa project for methods on production, characterization and testing of nanomaterials that can be downloaded from the DaNa website (www.nanopartikel.info) and used by all NanoValid partners to describe standard methods developed within the project.
On page 5, the University of Namur (FUNDP) team is introduced with the work planned by the new researchers Omar Lozano and Jorge Mejia engaged in NanoValid on the development and validation of methods for nanoparticle (NP) quantification and size separation/distribution in complex media by means of ion beam accelerator “ALTAÏS” and by PIXE (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission), as well as CLS (Centrifugal Liquid Sedimentation) for dispersed NPs.
On page 6, Miriam Baron from the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) reports on the drafting of a Guidance Document for safe handling of nanomaterials, which will be discussed, evaluated and further developed during a workshop held at BAUA in Berlin, 27-28 November 2012, to ensure occupational safety in all participating laboratories (see page 8 and: www.nanovalid.eu).
Further on, the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE) outlines the work planned by a case study in WP6 on the assessment and management of a massive accidental release of ENPs, including an industrial accident situation and accidental risks associated with the transport of nanomaterials. Further to this topic, the NanoValid team of the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) describes two accident scenarios on page 7. NanoValid will closely cooperate with MARINA on this particular issue. Also on page 7 we report on an upcoming EU-US workshop on convergence, research, governance and innovation taking place on 20-21 September 2012 at IMEC, Leuven, Belgium, where NanoValid will be represented by Ilmari Pyykkö (UTA) and Albert Duschl (PLUS), to assess the progress of converging nano-bio-info-cognitive science and technology fields, to identify and evaluate short and long term trends in the delivery of responsible innovation and good governance tools to industry and society.
Finally, on pages 8-11 you will find more news on forthcoming events that emphasize the exciting field of interaction between nanotechnology and nanosafety research, and new innovations.
Source: NanoValid