New review on health and safety of nanomaterials
A consortium led by Edinburgh Napier University and the Institute of Occupational Medicine has just published a review of the health and safety of engineered nanomaterials.
The review (Engineered nanoparticles: review health and environmental safety- ENRHES) covers the fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal and metal oxides, including sources of these materials, pathways of exposure and a risk assessment based on this info.
Dry read
It is long and hardly bedtime reading, but for those keen on getting a overall handle on where our knowledge stands with these technologies then it is worth a look – you can cherry pick the interesting bits. I intend to only read the bits relevant to this office and any enquiries.
My cherry picking and relevant Australian research
The review identifies many gaps in our knowledge and there implications for policy development. Monash University published a review in 2008 investigating the potential impacts of nanotechnology on Australia’s regulatory framework
Prediction tools needed
The ENRHES report recognizes that the published literature confirms there is a consensus that thorough and accurate characterisation of nanoparticles is an essential part of assessing the potential toxicity of nanoparticles. They also acknowledge that it seems possible to predict (part of) the toxicity of some nanomaterial based on the toxicity or otherwise of the bulk/normal form, but this is not yet possible for all.
Professor Amanda Barnard at CSIRO is working on software modeling tools that will enable scientists to predict potential toxicities of nanomaterials based on the size and structure.
Knowledge gap
There is a paucity of literature on the assessment of exposure. The few studies they considered involved occupational settings. None were found that assessed consumer exposure or exposure to the environment. Similarly, they identified a lack of data in the area of environmental fate and behaviour of nanoparticles.
Safe Work Australia has put out a review on safety of engineered nanoparticles in the workplace
Proper risk assessment can only be done on a case-by-case basis for nanoparticles, at least until more data is available that will allow grouping of nanomaterials according to their physical, chemical or biological properties.
Sun and makeup
Because of the recent media attention in Australia about the use of nanoparticles in sunscreens and cosmetics, specifically titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO), here are the review’s general findings about these particles.
Their review investigates numerous studies looking at the potential effects of ZnO and TiO2 on skin and skin cells. The available studies demonstrate that penetration of TiO2 and ZnO into the skin is negligible. That is, these nanoparticles are unlikely to reach living cells. However ZnO ions (which might be released from a small proportion of the ZnO particles) were able to penetrate beyond the outer skin layers. Further research into the potential effect of these ions is required.
Any issues of potential toxicity regarding ZnO and TiO2 is probably more relevant to compromised or damaged skin, which may promote the penetration of these particles.
Australian research
The above conclusions are consistent with those issued publicly by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Assocation (TGA)
CSIRO is also conducting a 3-year study to assess the behaviour and likely consequences of ZnO and TiO2. Their research aims to understand and minimise the risks to human health associated with the development of nanotechnology-based products, from the manufacture of nanomaterials and products containing them, through to their use by consumers. The research also aims to understand the fate of nanoparticles released to the natural environment, and their impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
RMIT’s Nanosafe Australia is also involved in this research