| Nov 17, 2010 |
Limited response to Australian nanomaterials information call
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(Nanowerk News) Seven companies reported using six nanomaterials in response to a voluntary information call in 2008 by Australia's National Industrial Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS). In contrast, 22 companies reported on 21 types of nanomaterial when the first information call was made two years earlier. In a summary report issued yesterday, this time a total of only seven respondents provided information on their introduction and/or use of nanomaterials
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The purpose of this second call for information was to identify any change in the types and volumes of nanomaterials introduced into Australia. It was intended that NICNAS use the results from the 2006 call for information as a baseline and determine trends in introduction of these substances, where possible. A secondary purpose of this call was to ascertain the extent of health and environmental data held for these nanomaterials.
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The call for information was again voluntary and directed to all persons who manufactured or imported nanomaterials or products (mixtures) containing nanomaterials for commercial development purposes in the calendar year 2008 in volumes greater than 100g of any individual nanomaterial. Unlike the information collated in 2006, information from the research and development (R&D) sector was requested in 2008 to determine the extent of use of nanomaterials in R&D during the same period.
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The response to the request for information on toxicological and physico-chemical data suggests that though some data are held, the extent is minimal. Six respondents reported holding some data on physico-chemical properties and animal or human toxicity and 4 reported holding data on environmental fate and ecotoxicity.
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NICNAS' conclusion: "The response to the 2008 NICNAS call for information was limited, similar to responses to the voluntary calls for information undertaken in the US and the UK."
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