Das Wissenschaftliche Beratungskomitee der Europäischen Kommission verabschiedet Stellungnahme zu Nanomaterialien
Das unabhängige wissenschaftliche Beratergremium der Europäischen Kommission für neu auftretende Gesundheitsrisiken (SCENIHR) hat eine weitere Beurteilung zu den neusten Entwicklungen bei der Risikobewertung von Nanomaterialien veröffentlicht. Das Dokument baut auf bestehenden Stellunnahmen aus den Jahren 2006 und 2007 auf und zeigt auf, dass die Methoden zur Beurteilung der Exposition des Menschen und der Umwelt gegenüber synthetischen Nanomaterialien sowie die Identifikation von möglichen Risiken noch ungenügend sind und weitere Entwicklung erfordern. In Ermangelung eines generellen Ansatzes hält SCENIHR die bestehende Empfehlung aufrecht, Risikobewertung bei Nanomaterialien nach einem case-by-case-Ansatz zu praktizieren. Artikel auf Englisch.
The SCENIHR’s opinion, citing a number of laboratory studies, identifies some nanomaterials that present hazards to human health and the environment. In particular, carbon nanotubes that resemble asbestos fibres, would pose the same risk. In addition, some studies illustrate that some nanoparticles (NPs) can penetrate cells, generate free radicals, interact with DNA, and interfere with protein assembly. At present, the Commission has no evidence that these hazards exist outside the laboratory but more research is needed on the risk of nanomaterials used in materials available today. As a response to these important findings, SCENIHR calls for co-ordinated research strategies to address these issues and provide comparable and reliable risk assessment data. SCENIHR also stresses that nanomaterials are similar to chemicals in that some may be toxic and some may not. The SCENHIR opinion contributes to current discussions on several legislative EU proposals dealing with nanomaterials.
Furthermore, the Commission is planning to hold a scientific hearing on this SCENHIR opinion. The Commission has been financing research and development projects on nanotechnology since 1998. It will convene the EuroNanoForum 2009 on 2-5 June under the Czech EU Presidency. Concerning risk assessment, the Commission is organizing a meeting to promote information exchange and networking between national risk assessment bodies on 17 March 2009. It will hold the 3rd Nano “Safety for Success” Dialogue on 3-4 November 2009, global conference to review the latest developments in nanotechnology including safety issues. Various actions and events that are being organised on the field make part of the European Action Plan on nanoscience and nanotechnologies (2005-2009).
Download the opinion here.