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

NanoSafetyCluster - Compendium 2012
A number of methods and protocols for assessing NMs toxicity
in vitro using different cell lines have been well established,
which can be applied to toxicity assessment of NMs from other
sources. In detail:
• In vitro protocols for the analysis of lung
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood serum lipid and
protein oxidation have been developed and adapted
to present samples.
• Cell culture conditions including cell seeding density
and incubation times for NPs toxicity study have been
optimized.
• The methodologies for cell viability study and ROS
assay have been adapted to envisaged samples. Ames
test methodology for the evaluation of bacterial
mutation has been adapted to envisaged samples.
• Characterization method of selected raw nanoparticles
in culture medium based on FT-IR has been developed.
• Evaluated cytotoxicity endpoints so far have included
cell viability (MTT test), intracellular reactive oxygen
species generation (ROS) and cellular membrane
damage via LDH Assay.
WP5 – Environmental implications of engineered
nanomaterials
The main objective WP5 is the assessment of the environmental
life-cycle impacts of selected nanomaterials as alternatives to
conventional materials. This analysis also intends to provide a
baseline life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the alternative
nanomaterials. This evaluation involves studying the
persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity and ecotoxicity of such
nanoparticles and, the analysis of their risks and hazards in
different abiotic media.
So far, raw nanoparticles that have been selected for
composites nano-reinforcement have been evaluated for
ecotoxicological assessment as those analyses allow
establishing and optimizing the experimental conditions for
further investigations. A consensus in the strategy for the
evaluation of environmental impacts in samples originated in
WP3 has been reached, with the main target of all project
partners evaluating the same (nano)objects.
The evaluation of dust suspensions has proven that all dust
samples except those incorporating nano-SiO2 were not toxic to
bacteria (E.coli and SODAB mutant) under UV or in the dark
after 24H Exposition. However dust from nano-SiO2 composite
(mainly PA and PP) exhibit toxicity. Further assessments are
actually on progress.
The evaluation of bioaccumulation and toxicity of FGC as an
alternative to conventional insulation building materials has
been carried out. FGC is a volumetric material, incorporating
nanoscale structural elements, produced by heat treatment (~
800-850° C) of amorphous matrix containing crystalline phase in
the form of SiO2, when the crystalline phase in the foaming
process is reduced to nano-sized. This estimate has provided an
analysis of environmental risks and hazards of FGC in nonresidential
buildings. To identify environmental hazards logic
and graphical analysis methods such as "tree of failures" and
"tree of events" have been used. The studies indicate that FGC
products meet European standards for health protection and
preservation the environment at all the stages of its production
and application which allows using this material in construction,
ensuring the absence of toxic substances and danger to human
health.
WP6, actually on progress, aims to make available the
understanding of the safety, environmental and health
implications of nanomaterials in order to define the appropriate
measures and minimise the exposure of workers. Guidelines for
responsible management of waste nanomaterials are also being
developed.
5 NEPHH Project Dissemination
The list of articles released within the second year of NEPHH
includes:
§ Kaz'mina O.V. Effect of the component composition and
oxidation - reduction characteristics of mixes on foaming of
pyroplastic silicate pastes. Glass and Ceramics, Vol.67, Nos.3
– 4, 2010, pp. 109-113.
§ Sachse S., Irfan A., Zhu H., Njuguna J. Morphology studies of
nanodust generated from polyurethane/nanoclay nanofoams
following mechanical fracture. Journal of Nanostructured
Polymers and Nanocomposites , 2010.
§ Adeel Irfan, Sophia Sachse, James Njuguna, Huijun Zhu*,
Ainhoa Egizabal, Krzysztof Pielichowski, María Blázquez.
Are engineered nanomaterials safe? Focusing on polymernanosilica
composites throughout their life cycle. Accepted,
2010.
§ Kazmina O.V., Semukhin B.C., Mukhortova A.V. Structural
and mechanical characteristics of high performance heatinsulating
foamglass material// Construction and Building
Materials, 2011.
§ J. Njuguna, S. Sachse, I. Adeel H. Zhu, S. Michalowski, K.
Pielichowski. ‘Nanoparticles Released from Structural
Nano-enhanced Products Following Mechanical Loading at
Low Velocity Impacts: A Case Study on Structural
Polyurethane Nanoreinforced Foams’ - 'MODERN
POLYMERIC MATERIALS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
APPLICATIONS', Vol. 4, Iss. 1, pp. 247-254.
Other Dissemination Materials for NEPHH Include:
- Six Montlhy Newsletter.
- Six Montlhy Dissemination Bulletin including main
outcomes of the Technological Surveillance System.
- Project Brochure and Leaflet.
- NEPHH Project’s Webpage.
- Project’s Press Releases (both on internet support and
printed media).
- NANOLCA 2011 – In a joint effort with NANOPOLYTOX
and HINAMOX FP7 founded projects.
222 Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster