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

WP 1 - Characterization of engineered NPs
( U.Aveiro )
WP 3 – Hazard Asseessment ( Heriot-Watt Univ )
Partners: Yeditepe Univ/ LEITAT/ IOM
WP 2 - Development and selection of functional modified
nanoparticles ( Yeditepe Univ )
WP 4 – Exposuse Asseessment ( IOM ) WP 5 – Risk Management and Control Measures
( ITENE )
5 Advances over the state of the art
WP 6 – Nano SLCRA: Adaptive Streamlined
Life Cycle Risk Assessment ( LEITAT )
WP 8 – Project Dissemination and Training ( NIA )
NANOMICEX project will provide an integrated approach to
manage the risk posed by nanoparticles, dealing with the current
limitations in relation to the worker protection strategies,
considering the risk assessment methodologies and risk
management measures. The current handbooks, guides and
reports of research projects are not focused on specific
nanoparticles used in the current industrial setting of the ink and
pigment industry, which can differ enormously from another
industrial process involving the use of nanoparticles.
In relation to the progress beyond the current state of the art,
NANOMICEX will work on the design of functional groups to
modify the properties of the engineered nanoparticles employed
in the pigment and ink industry in terms of toxicological profile,
cell interaction and surface reactivity, but without causing
significant changes in the nanoparticles properties, reproducible
applications in real conditions and using modification techniques
that are easy to implement by non-expert personal. In this sense,
the surface modifications of metal oxide nanoparticles, AgNPs,
CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and mixed-metal oxides (CoAl2O4) NPs
are aimed for their inclusion into inks and pigment formulations,
reduce their hazardous properties and adverse effects on living
systems, without compromising their further application in their
current industrial pigment/ink formulations.
Regarding the potential hazards posed by nanoparticles,
NANOMICEX will assess the cytotoxicity (in vitro approach), sublethal
toxicity and dermal effects, considering the relevance of
such aspects in relation with the occupational exposure to
nanoparticles. This work will allow the determination of the toxic
responses in the worker place, and also allow a comparison of the
effects of modified and unmodified particles. In addition, the work
developed will provide the stakeholders with scientific and
consensuated data to conduct regulatory actions (e.g.
Occupational Exposure Levels- OELs based on LC50/EC5
data). Similarly, regarding the environmental impacts of the
WP 9 – Project Coordination and Management ( ITENE )
NanoSafetyCluster - Compendium 2012
WP 7 – Industrial Case
Studies ( Ardeje )
nanoparticles, NANOMICEX will provide new knowledge in relation
to the environmental fate and behaviour of nanoparticles relevant
to the pigment and ink industry. A comprehensive ecotoxicological
study based on selected OECD test models will be conducted,
including the assessment of acute toxicity, sub-lethal ecotoxicity
and bioaccumulation. In addition, NANOMICEX project will work in
the computational analysis of data obtained from hazard studies,
with the aim of determining structure activity relationships in order
to provide valuable data to improve the current QSAR tools or
create new ones.
In terms of exposure assessment, the research activities within the
NANOMICEX project will further develop real exposure scenarios in
order to assess the exposure in the real operative conditions of
workers dealing with engineered nanoparticles. Once developed,
such scenarios will be modelled and reproduced in controlled
conditions, improving the knowledge about the background
effects and interactions between the engineered nanoparticles
and their environment, and how such interactions modify the
exposure patterns of the engineered nanoparticles in real
conditions. Furthermore, the state of the art real time
measurement devices will be tested in controlled conditions,
improving the knowledge to interpret the data obtained.
In relation to the protection strategies, during the NANOMICEX
project several protective measures will be assessed, evaluating
the effectiveness of the existing technical and management
exposure control strategies, providing the ink and pigment
industry with the most appropriate measures to control the
exposure to engineered nanoparticles and therefore to minimize
the risk.
Finally, the NANOMICEX project will conduct a life cycle
assessment combined with risk assessment, studying the health
and the environmental impacts of NP-based inks and pigments at
all the stages of their life cycle. The availability of data on the
nanoparticles release to the environment, and consequently to
Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster 145