| Aug 25, 2011 |
Danish EPA publishes survey on nanomaterials risks
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(Nanowerk News) The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) has initiated the study
"Survey on basic knowledge about exposure and potential environmental and
health risks for selected nanomaterials". The objective of the study is to provide
an overview of the applications of the most commonly used or widespread
nanomaterials and to identify areas most likely to have health or environmental
problems associated with their use.
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There is no single source of information that provides an overview of the use
of nanomaterials and products in Denmark or in the EU for that matter.
Pieces of information are, however, available from databases and previous
studies initiated by DEPA. This information has in this project been reviewed
together with results from other studies carried out in the Nordic countries
and including estimates on relevant consumer applications and uses of the
selected nanomaterials. A considerable part of the nanomaterial-containingproducts are found to be sold from web shops in Denmark and abroad but an
increasing part is sold from ordinary shops.
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A limited industry survey on the industrial use of the selected nanomaterials in
Denmark has been conducted. The objective of this survey was to confirm the
use of the nanomaterials in question in Denmark, and to develop a rough estimate
of the consumption.
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The survey was carried out among identified actors dominating the markets
for the selected nanomaterials and their typical applications. The relevant actors
were asked about the uses and the amounts of the nanomaterials. Focus
for the survey was on obtaining information for the most dominant field of
application and not to cover all different use areas.
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The outcome of our survey can be summarized as follows:
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Titanum dioxide, nanoclay and silicium dioxide are all materials used in most significant quantities in Denmark.
The use of nanosilver has not been confirmed, but indications exist that some products/brands may contain nanosilver.
The use of cerium dioxide has not been confirmed either. It is not used by leading marked actors in Denmark.
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No information was available on fullerenes and zero-valent iron.
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A profile for each of the selected materials was then developed. For each material
the focus has been on the general characteristics and manufacture of the
nanomaterials, their current uses (mainly focussed at consumer products),
and hazard profiles (ecotoxicity and human toxicity). Furthermore the profiles
include sections discussing relevant exposures from consumer products
and considerations regarding the related risk.
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Each nanomaterial profile is summarised in a 'summary sheet' containing the
key findings and also emphasising areas where information is lacking. The
general picture is that the specific knowledge base is limited and that more
information is needed for sufficient characterisation of the nanomaterials and
for illustration of the relevant (eco)toxicological endpoints. In addition more
information is required with regard to fate, behaviour and kinetics of the different
nanoparticles and crucial to the assessment of the relevant risks is an
agreed methodology for risk assessment.
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Conclusive risk assessments were therefore not possible to develop within the
framework of the present project. Based on the reviewed literature the seven
selected nanomaterials were not found to exhibit new and completely unknown
risks to the consumer or to the environment in the current application.
Products in the form of liquids or free particles are expected to give rise to the
highest exposures in the environment and to humans, particularly those liquids
that are intended to come in direct contact with the body, and the potential
risk is likely to increase with increased exposure. However, as the applicability
of the existing exposure and risk assessment methodology has been chal11
lenged in relation to nanomaterials, there are still areas that need to be explored
- especially for engineered nanomaterials.
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A key question in relation to risk and safety assessment of nanomaterials as
raised in Stone et al. (2010) is to which extent the existing knowledge base
about toxicity and risk related to the bulk counterparts can be used in the
evaluation of the nanomaterials. In other words, it is the question of whether
the risk information can be scaled from bulk substances to the nano-form taking
the size of the nanoparticles into account or whether it is the small size
that triggers the nano-specific behaviour and effects.
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Based on the reviewed literature there are some indications that scaling of toxicity
could be relevant for the more chemically intert materials as TiO2 and
SiO2 whereas e.g. carbon-based materials like fullerenes where surfacemodifications
are introduced are more likely to acquire nano-specific properties.
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This is an area that needs further clarification before firm conclusions can
be made. Relevant for this discussion is also the fact that many nanoscale particles
(e.g. silver, nanoclay, TiO2 and SiO2) are naturally occurring particles
that have been used for decades. However, these materials may also be modified
with different surface coating, which can alter there physical-chemical
properties and toxicity.
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In order to answer the many questions regarding nanomaterials and risk more
information and research is required in the future. Some of the gaps can be
summarized as follows:
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Characteristics sufficient for toxicity testing
Fate, behavior and kinetics of different nanoparticles
Agreement regarding risk assessment methodologies to comply with regulatory regimes
More information on chronic effects of nanomaterials
Effect of surface functionalisation on toxicity of the nanomaterials
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