Nanoparticles, human health hazard and regulation
Nanotechnology continues to be forecast to reap massive global benefits across multiple sectors. An article published within the Journal of the Royal Society 'Interface', presents an objective review of the current landscape of nanoparticle risk research and regulation. The paper, entitled 'Nanoparticles, Risk & Regulation', is authored by nanotechnology & occupational health expert Professor Anthony Seaton and co-scientists Lang Tran, Robert Aitken and Kenneth Donaldson from the Safety of Nanoparticles Interdisciplinary Research Centre (SnIRC).
Increasing public awareness of nanotechnologies, linked to non-specifically regulated introduction of products containing nanomaterials into the market, and the increasing use of 'Health & Safety' as an easy excuse for the prevention of desirable or beneficial activities by those unable or unwilling to understand them, makes heeding advice laid out by UK Government in 2005 via the Royal Society / Royal Academy of Engineering ever important to their responsible development.
Lessons from History
Beginning with a historical perspective, Seaton et. al. outline some of those risks relating to causation of diseases associated with aerosol and combustion particles, discussing potential analogies with exposure to manufactured NPs. Considering two of the biggest occupational health risks of recent times - asbestos and particulate air pollution – the authors note the differences in how these issues were handled and the knock on effect this had on worker and public health. They conclude 'It is not necessary to understand mechanisms before taking steps to prevent an occupational or environmental disease, and too great a focus on mechanisms alone, though scientifically interesting, may distract from applying preventive measures.' – or to put it simply "Incomplete knowledge of toxicity should not be used as an argument for delaying pragmatic protective measures in the workplace" Professor Seaton commented.
Nanotoxicology & Exposure – sufficient knowledge for control?
Considering whether there is already sufficient understanding of the risks of nanoparticles to implement control measures forms the body of the review. Outlining and considering key theories in nanotoxicology, including the ultrafine hypothesis, transgression through biological membranes & the role of inflammation; Seaton et. al. relate the base knowledge in this area to that limited research into human exposure to these particles. They conclude that although there is considerable work to be done, in many cases knowledge is sufficient to implement effective controls to minimise exposure and these should be put into place.
Knowledge gaps & the road to regulation
"Consumer protection from theoretical risk relies at present on prudent behaviour by those who would exploit nanotechnology for commercial advantage and an assumption that such particles are unlikely to be toxic" said Seaton. Given this less than ideal situation, much of the latter part of the review is focused on identifying gaps in knowledge relating to the properties of nanoparticles that might determine toxicity and in understanding the most appropriate ways both to measure this in the laboratory and to assess it in the workplace. Discussing the possibilities & pitfalls in developing toxicity testing and exposure control sufficiently robust to progress knowledge to the point at which risk assessment and early steps toward regulation may be implemented, Seaton an his co-authors stress that in order to assist the regulatory process, research should aim at understanding generic issues with respect to determinants of toxicity and at improving methods of measuring exposure.
Anthony Seaton, Lang Tran, Robert Aitken, and Kenneth Donaldson 'Nanoparticles, human health hazard and regulation' J R Soc Interface 2009: rsif.2009.0252.focusv1-rsif20090252 may be accessed online here
Source: SafeNano