Timing, hosts and locations of (grouped) events of NanoImpactNet

NanoSafetyCluster - Compendium 2012
Contents
1 Summary .................................................................................... 120
2 Background ................................................................................ 120
3 What is NanoImpactNet ............................................................ 121
3.1 Summary of NanoImpactNet’s key strengths ....................... 121
4 Organisation of NanoImpactNet .............................................. 121
5 NanoImpactNet Events and Reports ........................................ 122
5.1 Events and associated reports ............................................... 122
5.1.1 The Dublin Workshops, Ireland ....................................... 122
5.1.2 The Zurich Workshops, Switzerland ................................ 123
5.1.3 The NanoImpactNet Integrating Conference with
Training School and Workshops in Lausanne,
Switzerland ....................................................................... 124
5.1.4 The Bilthoven Workshops, The Netherlands .................. 125
5.1.5 The Bratislava Training School, Slovakia ......................... 125
1 Summary
Recent technological advances allow the targeted production of
objects and materials at the nanoscale (smaller than 100 nm).
Nanomaterials have chemical, physical and bioactive
characteristics different from those of larger entities of the same
materials and from molecular forms of the materials (where these
exist). Nanoparticles (NPs) can pass through body barriers,
although the detailed mechanisms are not yet understood. This is
interesting for medical applications, but raises concerns about
their health and environmental impact. NanoImpactNet’s objective
is to create a scientific basis for ensuring the safe and responsible
development of manufactured NPs and nanotechnology-based
materials and products, and to support the definition of regulatory
measures and implementation of appropriate legislation in Europe.
It includes strong two-way communication to ensure efficient
dissemination of information to stakeholders and the European
Commission, while at the same time obtaining input from these
stakeholders about their needs and concerns.
The work focuses on the following areas: Human hazards and
exposures, Hazards and fate of nanomaterials in the environment,
Impact assessment, Communication, Integration and
nomenclature, and Coordination and management. The project
lasts four years. Discussions about strategies and methodologies
are usually initiated through well-prepared workshops covering
the various topics. All researchers and stakeholders dealing with
the issues are invited to participate. After these workshops, the
researchers collaborate to produce thorough reports and sets of
guidelines reflecting the consensus reached. Most of the leading
European research groups with activities in nanosafety, nanorisk
assessment, and nanotoxicology are represented in
NanoImpactNet and they address all relevant exposure routes,
major disease classes and impact assessment approaches.
NanoImpactNet coordinates activities within Europe but it is open
for worldwide participation and welcomes members from other
5.1.6 2 nd NanoImpactNet Integrating Conference and
Training School in Lausanne, Switzerland ...................... 126
5.1.7 Bratislava Training Schools, Slovakia .............................. 126
5.1.8 The Dublin Workshops, Ireland ........................................ 127
5.1.9 Prague, Czech Republic .................................................... 127
5.1.10 3 rd NanoImpactNet Integrating Conference and
Training School in Lausanne, Switzerland ...................... 128
5.1.11 The Leiden Training School, The Netherlands ................ 129
5.1.12 The London Workshop, United Kingdom ....................... 129
5.1.13 The Bratislava Training School, Slovakia ........................ 129
5.2 Further Reports ..................................................................... 129
6 Directory.................................................................................... 130
7 Copyright .................................................................................... 132
continents. NanoImpactNet helps implement the EU Action plan
for Nanotechnology and supports the drive to ensure responsible
and safe implementation of nanotechnologies in Europe.
2 Background
‘Nanomaterials’ under its most commonly used definition refers to
materials that have at least one structural dimension at the
nanoscale, i.e. 1-100 nanometers. Nanomaterials often have
chemical, physical and bioactive characteristics different from
those of larger entities of material with the same chemical
composition, and from molecular forms where these exist. Nano-
industries are expanding rapidly and nanotechnology is considered
to be a key enabling technology for the 21st century. A wide range
of applications are emerging. These new technologies are
expected to revolutionize medicine because nanoparticles are
small enough to enter individual cells and pass biological barriers
inaccessible to molecules or larger materials. The information
technology and computer industries are also heavily dependent on
nanotechnology for many of their processes and products. Over
800 food and consumer products are already listed in a Woodrow
Wilson Institute database, which is currently the largest inventory
of consumer products with a declared link to nanotechnology.
Although novel characteristics specific to nanomaterials have lead
to many exciting new applications, they also raise concerns about
their potential health and environmental impacts. Despite recent
advances in medical and toxicological research, it is still unclear
exactly how nanomaterials interact with biological entities and
which characteristics of the nanomaterials drive these responses.
Solid NPs and nano-rods (confined in two dimensions) in particular
raise potential safety, health and environmental concerns. There is
120 Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster