International. After ten years of research, the working group Dechema/VCI published an intermediary report with the risk assessment of nanomaterials which concludes that to date this technology does not represent unusual risks.
Industry experts and research institutes have compiled 60 pages with the current state of European research and give an overview of safety projects in the explorations of various nanomaterials both in humans and in the environment.
The researchers note that the size of the "nano" label does not pose a characteristic intrinsic hazard; instead, the impact of nanomaterials depends on other factors, such as the nature of the material.
The development of nanomaterials, as in any other product, has to be subjected to a risk assessment. Experts call for an adequate infrastructure in toxicology research and education in order to reaffirm safety with international standards.
"10 Years of Research: Risk Assessment, Human and Environmental Toxicology of Nanomaterials" is the result of research by the working group "Responsible Production and Use of Nanomaterials" of Dechema, a German organization dedicated to chemical development and biotechnology.
