Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is expected to be the basis of many of the main technological innovations of the 21st century, with research and development in this field growing rapidly on a global scale. It bridges the whole spectrum of science, touching medicine, physics, engineering and chemistry, and promises the development of new materials and processes in the nanometre (10-9m) scale with unique properties. Responsible development of any new material requires that risks to health and the environment associated with their production, use and disposal are addressed in order to protect workers, the public and the ecosystem. The IOM offers a multi-disciplinary approach to assessing the risks associated with nanomaterials.
Nanotechnology Risk Management
Assessment of health risks arising from exposure to chemicals or other substances, requires understanding of its intrinsic toxicity, the levels of exposure (by inhalation, by ingestion or through the skin) that may occur and any relationship between exposure and health effects. The IOM has unique and extensive experience concerning the potential risks from particles and fibres. Our approach combines multi-disciplinary expertise with state-of-art techniques to identify and characterise exposure scenarios, conduct toxicity evaluations and undertake risk assessments in order to identify, characterise and estimate the relative safety of nanoparticles. This approach allows us to extend current knowledge, bridging the gaps between regulation, policy and practice in nanotechnology safety and facilitating responsible development of the field.
Current Nanotechnology Issues
Emerging Nanotechnology Issues
Latest IOM News
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ECHA plans to update REACH guidance for registration of nanoform substances
ECHA is currently preparing an update of its Guidance on Information Requirements and... …View full story
Published: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:43:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Nanotechnology: 'Risk Governance' in India
A new report in Economic & Political Weekly analyses the potential consequences of the application of nanotechnology in... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:03:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Lawsuit seeks to block U.S. EPA’s ‘free pass’ on nanosilver
The Natural Resources Defense Council has filed a lawsuit in U.S. federal court to limit public exposure to the... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:51:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Health and environmental effects of nanomaterials remain uncertain
Report from National Research Council says that a cohesive research plan is needed to help avoid potential risks from... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:43:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Government, industry & advocacy groups work on CNT release measures
NanoRelease project to study potential release of carbon nanotubes from various... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:36:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Insurers underestimate nano risks
Reinsurance company Gen Re has recently published an analysis and evaluation of the potential implications for the... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:29:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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BIS working on nanotechnology standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards is giving priority to standardisation in new areas including... …View full story
Published: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:12:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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New EC publication marks new strategy towards responsible innovation
Science in Society Programme reflects on how to proceed towards Responsible Research... …View full story
Published: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:46:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Surface coatings influence silver nanoparticle toxicity, new research suggests
U.S. research study indicates that changing the coating on silver nanoparticles... …View full story
Published: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:28:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Risk assessment approaches and data needs for engineered nanomaterials
Italian researchers have performed a review of available data and risk assessment approaches for engineered... …View full story
Published: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:39:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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New method reveals nanoparticle solubility
U.S. researchers have developed a method to examine nanoparticle degradation in salt... …View full story
Published: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:06:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Weighing the risks of nanotechnology
Food Manufacturing has published an interview with Amy Galland of As You Sow... …View full story
Published: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:33:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Funding opportunity: Centers for Material Life Cycle Safety
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking... …View full story
Published: Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:33:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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EPA Proposes SNURs on CNTs
On the 28th December, EPA proposed significant new use rules (SNURs) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances... …View full story
Published: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:37:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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EPA OIG Concludes EPA Needs to Manage Nanomaterials More Effectively
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) releases a report entitled "EPA Needs to... …View full story
Published: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:19:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Nanotech Threat from the Developing World
In his latest blog, Tim Harper of Cientifica discusses whether we are looking in the wrong place for threats from... …View full story
Published: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:05:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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OECD publishes three new documents in the Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has added three new... …View full story
Published: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:43:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Detoxifying carbon nanotubes
Competitive binding between blood proteins can reduce the toxicity of protein-coated... …View full story
Published: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:25:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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New insights into the life cycle of inorganic nanoparticles
Researchers from Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology and the University of Salzburg... …View full story
Published: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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A few small issues about public engagement on nanotechnology
Dr Craig Cormick has this week authored a guest blog on 2020 Science that highlights three issues relating to... …View full story
Published: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:36:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Defying Expectation - Cellular Uptake of Nanoparticles
Study by Dublin researchers suggests that (nano)particle uptake might not follow... …View full story
Published: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:39:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Natural nanomaterials - they are everywhere
This week’s Nanowerk Spotlight focuses on the prevalence of nanomaterials in nature... …View full story
Published: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:26:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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ObservatoryNANO Publishes Nanotechnology EHS Landscape
SAFENANO and ObservatoryNANO are today proud to announce... …View full story
Published: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:01:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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NanoCode publishes MasterPlan and CodeMeter for the EU-CoC for nanotechnologies
The EU funded NanoCode project has elaborated strategies and options for the development and implementation of the... …View full story
Published: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:34:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Presentations available from OSHA-sponsored nanotechnology training course
Presentations from a training course sponsored by OSHA entitled "Introduction to Nanomaterials and Occupational Health"... …View full story
Published: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:49:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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MAnaging RIsks of NAnoparticles: launch of the MARINA project
SAFEANANO & the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) are proud to announce the... …View full story
Published: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:10:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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The importance of studying the bio-durability of carbon nanotubes
SAFENANO’s Julia Varet explores the importance of studying the in vitro biodurability of Carbon nanotubes as... …View full story
Published: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:40:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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U.S. government releases environmental, health, and safety research strategy for nanotechnology
The U.S. Federal Government has released a national strategy for ensuring that... …View full story
Published: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:51:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Review of 2007-09 literature on toxicological and health-effects relating to six nanomaterials
NICNAS has... …View full story
Published: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:54:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Health Canada Announces Policy Statement Concerning Working Definition for Nanomaterial
Health Canada last week published a Policy Statement on a Working Definition for... …View full story
Published: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:28:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Tiered Approach to Exposure Measurement and Assessment of Nanoscale Aerosols
Leading institutions in Germany have published a strategy paper to address the challenges of exposure measurement and... …View full story
Published: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:29:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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U.S. Senator Introduces Bill to Ensure Safety of Nanotechnology Products
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin last week introduced legislation to address potential health... …View full story
Published: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:55:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Nanomedicine - a small revolution
The October issue of The Scientist features an article that describes the rapid... …View full story
Published: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:29:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Nano Safety: Circles, or Slow Progress?
A group of experts at the 5th International Symposium of Occupational Health... …View full story
Published: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:36:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Nickel nanoparticles contribute to cancer in human lung cells, in vitro study suggests
New research by an interdisciplinary team of scientists at Brown University has found that nickel nanoparticles... …View full story
Published: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:59:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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ACS GCI white paper offers "road map" for development of green nanotechnology
Green chemistry experts have issued a white paper addressing the critical challenges to advancing greener... …View full story
Published: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:05:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Presentations from the joint US-EU nanoEHS workshop now available
Presentations are now available online from the joint US-EU nanoEHS dialogue workshop held in... …View full story
Published: Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:28:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Stoffenmanager Nano tool available to aid preliminary hazard classification of nanomaterials
Published: Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:36:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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HARN Dimension and Pleural Retention
SAFENANO’s Craig Poland explores the fibre pathogenicity paradigm, and explains why all nanotubes are not like... …View full story
Published: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:22:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Don't define nanomaterials - new commentary in Nature
In a commentary published last week in Nature, Andrew Maynard argues that basing regulations on a term with no... …View full story
Published: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:34:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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JRC scientists develop a procedure for efficient separation and characterisation of gold nanoparticles
Scientists working within the EC JRC-IHCP have developed a procedure for the efficient separation, size... …View full story
Published: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:02:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Radiolabelled nanoparticles for nanotoxicology studies
A team of scientist from EC JRC-IHCP have published a paper that describes and discusses a variety of... …View full story
Published: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:37:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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European Commission proposes 2012 research priorities for nanotechnologies
The European Commission has published an orientation paper with proposed nanotechnology research priorities for... …View full story
Published: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:01:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Lack of nanotechnology regulation a danger to human health & environment, IATP say
According to a report issued by the... …View full story
Published: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:42:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Feasibility and challenges of human health risk assessment for nanomaterials
In our latest feature article. SAFENANO's Sheona Peters provides an overview of a series of recently published articles... …View full story
Published: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:04:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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ACOEM publishes guidance document on nanotechnology and health
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has developed a guidance document on nanotechnology and... …View full story
Published: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:50:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Scientists Investigate the Presence of Engineered Nanoparticles in Wastewater
According to Huang, increased use of... …View full story
Published: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:46:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Researchers Evaluate Risk Factors of Nano-Composites in Cement
A team of German researchers have studied nanoparticles or nanotubes of four different materials by subjecting them to... …View full story
Published: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:44:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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SAFENANO readies itself for official re-launch
SAFENANO - Europe’s Centre of excellence on nanotechnology hazard and risk - re-launches with a new look, additional... …View full story
Published: Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:25:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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ObservatoryNANO Hosts Workshop at EuroNanoForum 2011
The FP7 ObservatoryNANO project held a half-day workshop earlier this month at EuroNanoForum 2011 in... …View full story
Published: Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:12:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Institute of Nanotechnology creates lines of communication for public dialogue in the NanoChannels
The Institute of Nanotechnology has published online surveys and is launching focus groups as part of the NANOCHANNELS... …View full story
Published: Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:55:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Discussing the safe development of nanotechnology
In a recent interview, Prof. Christofer Hierold discusses the opportunities of nanotechnology and the need for safe... …View full story
Published: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:24:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Towards responsible nanotextiles and coatings: a new risk approach
A new study has developed risk assessment criteria for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to help inform innovation and... …View full story
Published: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:12:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Public interest groups criticise FDA's sunscreen rules over nanotechnology
Public interest groups say that the new FDA sunscreen rules called blind to... …View full story
Published: Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:49:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Presentations available from Joint JRC Nano Event and 2nd ENPRA Stakeholders Workshop
28 presentations from the Joint JRC Nano Event and 2nd ENPRA Stakeholders Workshop are now available to... …View full story
Published: Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:53:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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FDA takes 'first step' toward greater regulatory certainty around nanotechnology
FDA outlines roadmap for discussion on nanotechnology in regulated... …View full story
Published: Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:32:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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White House Issues Nanotechnology EHS Policy Statement
US Government releases memorandum on Policy Principles for the U.S. Decision-Making Concerning Regulation and... …View full story
Published: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:49:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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EPA Proposes Policy on Nanoscale Materials in Pesticide Products
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to obtain information on nanoscale materials in... …View full story
Published: Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:26:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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NIST 'catch and release' program could improve nanoparticle safety assessment
Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a method of attracting and capturing... …View full story
Published: Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:37:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Presentations from 'Towards a regulatory framework for nanomaterials' event available for download
Presentations from EU event 'Towards a regulatory framework for nanomaterials' are now available for... …View full story
Published: Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:42:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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First NanoCode Newsletter Published
The first NanoCode Newsletter, containing information on knowledge and perception of the European Commission’s... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:47:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Australian Education Union (AEU) calls for restriction on the types of sunscreens used at schools
The Australian Education Union (AEU) has called for a restriction on the types of sunscreens used at schools, stating... …View full story
Published: Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:46:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Sunscreens remain safe, effective form of sun protection
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) reiterates the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens to protect against... …View full story
Published: Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:31:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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OECD releases snapshot view on current/planned activities related to the safety of manufactured nanomaterials
Published: Fri, 27 May 2011 16:21:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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Should we be taking a closer look at the potential dangers of nanotechnology?
The UK's Guardian Newspaper considers whether we should be taking a closer look at the potential dangers of... …View full story
Published: Wed, 25 May 2011 16:00:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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ISO publishes nanotechnology standard: Nanomaterial risk evaluation
ISO/TR 13121:2011 offers guidance on the information needed to make sound risk evaluations and risk management... …View full story
Published: Fri, 20 May 2011 15:40:00 GMT
Category: Nanotechnology
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More Information?
For further information please contact:
Dr Rob Aitken, Director of Strategic Consulting
Office: +44 (0) 131 449 8003
Mobile: +44 (0) 7770 804084
Email: rob.aitken@iom-world.org
Or
Dr Lang Tran, Head of Computational Toxicology
Office: +44 (0) 131 449 8050
Email: lang.tran@iom-world.org
Additional Information:
- Download the Nanotechnology Service Card