Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor ... - Nanowerk

nanotechnology,
water, & development
In order to assist in the development of a coordinated research
program to assess potential risks of nanoscale materials, the International
Risk Governance Council has identified four overlapping generations of
new nanotechnology products that have the potential for development
between 2000 and 2020: passive nanostructures, active nanostructures,
systems of nanosystems, and heterogeneous molecular nanosystems.
Each generation of products is marked by the creation of commercial
prototypes using systematic control of the respective phenomena and
manufacturing processing.The rudimentary capabilities of
nanotechnology today for systematic control and manufacture at the
nanoscale are expected to evolve significantly in complexity and degree
of integration by 2020. Most of the nanotechnologies for water
purification available today are probably in the first, and possibly in the
second, generation of nanotechnology products. 107
The main deficit of risk governance for the first generation of passive
nanostructures (e.g., nanoparticles, coatings, nanostructured materials)
is the relatively low level of knowledge of the new properties and
functions on toxicity and bioaccumulation and limited understanding of
the nanomaterials’ exposure rates.The main deficit for the new
generations of nanoproducts, (including active nanodevices, nano-bio
applications, and nanosystems is the uncertain/unknown evolution of
the technology and human effects (e.g., health, changes at birth, brain
understanding and cognitive
issues, and human evolution)
as well as a framework through
which policies can address
such uncertainties.
To fill the gap in knowledge
about nanomaterials, common
frameworks for risk research,
risk assessment, and risk
management, several
organizations are developing
applicable frameworks and
protocols. 108 Some of the critical
issues and research needs that
are relevant in the developing
field of nanotoxicology 109 include
the following:
Need for detailed materials
characterization;
Need for realistic exposure
scenarios;
Need for methods to track
nanomaterials in biological
experiments;
Organization / Publication
International Risk Governance
Council
International Organization for
Standardization
ASTM
European Commission, Health
& Consumer Protection
Directorate-General, Scientific
Committee on Emerging and
Newly Identified Health Risks
Environmental Defense
and DuPont
Azonano.com
Need for sensitive detection methods to determine dose
metrics; and
Need to identify key indicators of toxicity.
There is also a need to define a systematic and disciplined process
that can be used to identify, manage, and reduce potential health,
safety, and environmental risks of nanoscale materials across all
lifecycle stages. DuPont and Environmental Defense are developing
such a framework, which will be pilot-tested on specific nanoscale
materials or applications of commercial interest to DuPont. 110
Further complicating the research of environmental and human
health issues is the lack of a nomenclature for the field. Currently, the
science is based on the size of nanoparticles but does not take into
account the basic chemical structure, such as titanium or carbon, or
the surface coating of the nanoparticles. 111 Several efforts are now
under way to develop a common nomenclature, including projects
by the Nanotechnology Technical Committee of the International
Organization for Standardization 112 and the ASTM International
Committee E56 on Nanotechnology. 113
Table 10: Examples of Existing Risk Governance Initiatives
Title
Nanotechnology Project
ISO Launches Work on
Nanotechnology Standards
ASTM,Technical Committees
Opinion on the Appropriateness
of Existing Methodologies to
Assess the Potential Risks
Associated with Engineered
and Adventitious Products of
Nanotechnologies
Environmental Defense and
DuPont: <strong>Global</strong> Nanotechnology
Standards of Care Partnership
DuPont, Environmental Defense
Create Framework for
Nanotechnology
Link
http://www.irgc.org/irgc/projects/nanotechnology/
http://www.iso.org/iso/en/commcentre/pressreleases/
archives/2005/ Ref980.html
http://www.astm.org/cgibin/SoftCart.exe/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/E56.htm?L+m
ystore+gxyx8351+1115426305
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sceni
hr/docs/scenihr_o_003b.pdf
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?conten
tID=4821
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=1536
107
International Risk Governance Council,“Nanotechnology Project,” .
108
Ibid.; and Azonano.com,“DuPont, Environmental Defense Create Framework for Nanotechnology,” October 12, 2005, .
109
R. H. Hurt et al.,“Toxicology of Carbon Nanomaterials: Status,Trends, and Perspectives on the Special Issue," Carbon,Vol. 44, Issue 6 , pp. 1028 – 1033, 2006; A. Nel et al.,“Toxic
Potential of Materials at the Nanolevel,” Science,Vol. 311, No. 576, 2006, pp. 622 – 627; G. Oberdorster et al. “Principles for Characterizing the Potential Human Health Effects from
Exposure to Nanomaterials: Elements of a Screening Strategy,” Particle and Fibre Toxicology,Vol. 2, No. 8, 2005, .
110
Environmental Defense,“Environmental Defense and DuPont: <strong>Global</strong> Nanotechnology Standards of Care Partnership,” October 11, 2005,
.
111
Goldman and Coussens, op. cit.
112
International Organization for Standardization,“ISO Launches Work on Nanotechnology Standards,” November 16, 2005,
.
113
ASTM,Technical Committees, .
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