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Development and market introduction of new nanomaterials trigger the need for an adequate risk assessment of such products alongside suitable risk communication measures. Current application of classical and new nanomaterials is analyzed in context of regulatory requirements and standardization for chemicals, food and consumer products. The challenges of nanomaterial characterization as the main bottleneck of risk assessment and regulation are presented. In some areas, e.g., quantification of nanomaterials within complex matrices, the establishment and adaptation of analytical techniques such as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and others are potentially suited to meet the requirements. As an example, we here provide an approach for the reliable characterization of human exposure to nanomaterials resulting from food packaging. Furthermore, results of nanomaterial toxicity and ecotoxicity testing are discussed, with concluding key criteria such as solubility and fiber rigidity as important parameters to be considered in material development and regulation. Although an analysis of the public opinion has revealed a distinguished rating depending on the particular field of application, a rather positive perception of nanotechnology could be ascertained for the German public in general. An improvement of material characterization in both toxicological testing as well as end-product control was concluded as being the main obstacle to ensure not only safe use of materials, but also wide acceptance of this and any novel technology in the general public.
The European Commission's recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial [2011/696/EU] is broadly applicable across different regulatory sectors and requires the quantitative size determination of constituent particles in samples down to 1 nm. A material is a nanomaterial if 50 % or more of the particles are in the size range 1-100 nm. The implementation of the definition in a regulatory context challenges measurement methods to reliably identify nanomaterials and ideally also non-nanomaterials as substance or product ingredient as well as in various matrices.
The EU FP7 NanoDefine project [www.nanodefine.eu] addressed these challenges by developing a robust, readily implementable and cost-effective measurement strategy to decide for the widest possible range of materials whether it is a nanomaterial or not. It is based on existing and emerging particle measurement techniques evaluated against harmonized, material-dependent performance criteria and by intra- and inter-lab comparisons. Procedures were established to reliably measure the size of particles within 1-100 nm, and beyond, taking into account different shapes, coatings and chemical compositions in industrial materials and consumer products. Case studies prove their applicability for various sectors, including food, pigments and cosmetics.
A main outcome is the establishment of an integrated tiered approach including rapid screening (tier 1) and confirmatory methods (tier 2), a decision support flow scheme and a user manual to guide end-users, such as manufacturers, in selecting appropriate methods. Another main product is the “NanoDefiner” e-Tool which implements the flow scheme in a user-friendly software and guides the user in a semi-automated way through the entire decision procedure. It allows a cost-effective selection of appropriate methods for material classification according to the EC's nanomaterial definition and provides a comprehensive report with extensive explanation of all decision steps to arrive at a transparent identification of nanomaterials as well as non-nanomaterials for regulatory purposes.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 604347.