Nanoparticles: Aspects of Risk and Safety - Article by Jean-Pierre Matthieu in Journal of Consumer Protection
Manufacturers and users of nanomaterials, regulatory authorities and environmental advocacy groups all have to face the challenge of finding a sustainable framework for the further development of nanotechnology. However, activities in this area have yet been isolated and uncoordinated. An article by Innovation Society's Jean-Pierre Matthieu in the Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety summarizes the latest regulatory developments.
Extract:
There have been calls for a legal regulation of nanotechnology from a variety of parties. Even if the scientific and technical preconditions therefore are not available yet, adaptations and possible restrictions for nanomaterials are currently subject to investigations. The new EC regulation REACH constitutes a new and developable legislation under the scope of which also nanomaterials fall. It is expected to significantly advance the state of knowledge about the inherent properties of substances in general and therefore also of nanoparticles.
Synthetic nanoparticles are within the scope of the existing chemical law in Europe (REACH). However, the present knowledge is not yet sufficient for the elaboration of nano-specific regulations. Many projects with the aim of completing the necessary scientific and technical basis for the assessment of nanotechnology related risks are under way.
In the area of occupational hygiene certain basic rules for handling highly toxic or little known macroscaled substances may also be applied at handling nanoparticles. There have been advances in the development and testing of suitable protection devices. In the subject areas of environmental risks and risks emerging from indirect exposure of the population through the environment, there still is an immense need for coordinated action.
For the industry, risk management represents a suitable framework to responsibly handle nanomaterials in a situation characterized by incomplete knowledge and a lack of nano-specific regulations. With the risk management system CENARIOS® especially developed for dealing with those circumstances, there is a tested instrument available that takes into account scientific, technical, societal, legal and economic risks. Under the current conditions, voluntary risk management safety standards constitute suitable measures for the protection of human health and the environment.
The complete article can be accessed directly at the jounals's website (login required):
http://www.springerlink.com/content/..../...5dc9&pi=0