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

NanoSafetyCluster - Compendium 2012
jointly between WPs to ensure this cross-talk, and the annual
Integrating Conferences also serve to promote this agenda. All
WPs take existing data into consideration and every attempt is
Table 1 Workpackages (WP) of NanoImpactNet
WP Title Topic
1 Human hazards
and exposures
2 Hazards and fate
of nanomaterials in
the environment
made to include results and contributions from other ongoing
projects.
This WP is divided into two distinct but related areas: human hazards and human exposure. It helps
coordinate efforts to evaluate the safety of nanomaterials towards human health, with particular emphasis
on a toolbox of tests to explore key issues, such as the most relevant metric for nanomaterial
characterization, methods for dispersion of different nanomaterials, and for assessing persistence, toxicity,
and human variability in response to nanomaterials. A second focus is on the determination of any possible
exposure of humans throughout a material’s (product) lifetime.
This WP helps coordinate activities on environmental fate and effects of nanomaterials released into the
environment, the diversity of environments into which they can be released, their behaviour in them and
their impact upon organisms within these environments. Issues include compartments most likely to be
exposed to or to accumulate nanomaterials of different types, routes of release and potential target
species. Computer simulations relating the physicochemical characteristics of nanomaterials to their fate,
behaviour and hazard in the in the environment are also addressed.
3 Impact assessment This WP addresses life cycle aspects of nanomaterials, from production through to the final disposal of
products, as well as environmental impact factors for particles and methodological approaches for a
comprehensive multidimensional classification of NPs and larger particles that takes into account the many
different characteristics of particles. Experts from WP3 will work closely with those from WP1 and WP2 in
order to integrate their knowledge, methodologies and achievements into an assessment of the overall
impact of nanomaterials.
4 Communication This WP supports the communication within the NanoImpactNet research community and stakeholders with
demonstrated involvement or research knowledge in the field. NanoImpactNet is in contact with over 1000
stakeholders from industries, specialists in technological development, governmental agencies, and the civil
society. The network of stakeholders is very interdisciplinary, enhancing the flow of information. This WP
seeks input from stakeholders about their information needs and ways to use existing data that is not
readily available. Several tools are used, mostly electronic media but also a special session for stakeholders
at the NanoImpactNet annual integrating conference.
5 Integration and
nomenclature
6 Coordination and
management
5 NanoImpactNet Events and Reports
This WP initiates, stimulates and facilitates cross-talk and collaboration between NanoImpactNet’s other
WPs. It works towards the creation of joint deliverables and includes the partners in this process from an
early stage. This WP organizes an annual integrating conference with the goal to further the exchange of
ideas, to share newly gained insights and to discuss strategies to address gaps in knowledge or
coordination. It also maintains a research protocols database and a nomenclature database to ensure that a
uniform terminology is used within NanoImpactNet reports and documentation.
This WP deals with administrative issues and the mandatory management related to the consortium
contract and the contract with the European Commission.
NanoImpactNet is approaching the end of its four-year project.
Throughout its duration it has organized a series of events,
workshops and training schools, and produced several associated
reports described below. These illustrate the wide range of
questions addressed within NanoImpactNet.
5.1 Events and associated reports
5.1.1 The Dublin Workshops, Ireland
NanoImpactNet held its first two workshops on 19-20 June 2008:
1. Standardization of materials and protocols
2. Most relevant material metrics for different needs (for
both hazard and exposure assessment).
122 Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster