Nanomaterialien unter REACH: Anpassungen notwendig
Bei der Europäischen Chemikalienregulierung REACH sind einige Anpassungen nötig, um die Risiken von Nanomaterialien zu erfassen und zu beherrschen. Die Daten, welche unter REACH von den Herstellern geliefert werden müssen, genügen nicht, um die speziellen Eigenschaften von Nanomaterialien zu bestimmen und abzuschätzen, in welcher Weise diese Eigenschaften deren Wirkungsweise und Effekte in Mensch und Umwelt beeinflussen.
RIVM concluded this following research into the suitability of REACH for nanomaterials. RIVM therefore proposes an adapted set of minimum information requirements, to be applied to all nanomaterials to be registered under REACH, independent of their volume of production and import. These requirements allow a risk assessment of nanomaterials.
Over the last years the use of nanomaterials has strongly increased. As yet, nanomaterials are defined as substances of which the discrete parts have at least one dimension smaller than one hundred nanometres. Due to their nanosize they have specific properties. Legislation should focus on controlling the potential hazards and risks of these nanomaterials.
Nanosilver Case Study
By conducting a hypothetical registration of nanosilver it was investigated whether REACH is suitable for assessing the safe use of nanomaterials. From this it appeared that no definition of a nanomaterial is present, and that a relevant measure for expressing harmfulness and exposure is as yet not known. In addition, the standard information requirements are insufficient to assess hazard and exposure. They are also insufficient for a proper characterisation of the nanomaterial. Consequently, it cannot be determined to what extent the nanoform of a substance corresponds to the non-nanoform of the same substance. Furthermore, it is unclear whether current risk reduction measures and extrapolation methods in risk assessment, as established for non-nanomaterials, are applicable to nanomaterials.
Read the full report "Nanomaterials under REACH - Nanosilver as a Case Study" by RIVM (Netherlands): http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/601780003.pdf
RIVM is The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and is a recognised centre of expertise in the fields of health, nutrition and environmental protection. RIVM works mainly for the Dutch government.