Research on nanomaterials

What it's about

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research to support the assessment of health risks from nanomaterials and risk communication.

Background

Nanomaterials are used in many areas of daily life. In order to obtain a reliable database for assessing health risks posed by nanomaterials, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is involved in numerous research projects and is initiating various research projects of its own.

Nanosafety research in recent decades has conducted extensive research on possible risks of nanomaterials to human health and the environment. The focus was mainly on first-generation nanomaterials that have been on the market for some time. Based on the knowledge gained, detailed guidelines for health assessment were developed and intensive efforts were made to adapt test methods. Future research projects will increasingly turn to novel and more complex materials.

Research strategy of the higher federal authorities on nanomaterials

As early as 2007, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, together with the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBAshort forGerman Environment Agency), developed a research strategy to identify potential risks of nanotechnology. The aim was to describe the existing research needs for an assessment of possible health risks and to promote the development of suitable test procedures and assessment strategies.

The research strategy was evaluated in 2013 with the involvement of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

and updated in 2016 for nanomaterials and other advanced materials.

The strategy contains a summary of the results from projects that have already been completed and describes ongoing activities in the areas of characterisation, exposureExposureTo glossary, toxicological and ecotoxicological effects, risk assessment and risk communication.

Research projects on nanomaterials at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

For many years, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been involved in research on nanosafety with different priorities. It is involved in numerous national and European third-party funded projects.

Completed research projects

Many projects that have already been completed dealt with the establishment of research methods for nanomaterials (e.g. QualityNano, NanoGenoTOX, NANoREG, NanoDefine, NANOaers). An important focus was on establishing and testing approaches to grouping (e.g. NanoReg2, nanoGRAVUR, NanoToxClass, InnoMat.Life, GRACIOUS). This involves grouping nanomaterials into categories based on proven similarities, which enables a more efficient assessment. Some projects supported the efforts at the level of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to adapt OECD test guidelines (TGs) to nano-specific features (e.g. Gov4Nano, NanoHarmony). Various completed projects also dealt with the targeted investigation of selected nanomaterials such as nano silver, nano-cerium dioxide, nano-silicon dioxide, nano-titanium dioxide and nano-aluminium (e.g. nanoGEM, SolNanoTox). Other projects worked on setting up information and participation platforms (Nanopinion) and developing visualisation techniques for target group-specific communication (Seeing Nano). In addition, an External Link:implementation network for nano and innovative materials has been established under the auspices of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment as part of the GO FAIR initiative to support and promote the application of the FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) in the field of materials safety research.

Current research projects

Food safety

Current research projects in the area of food safety are concerned with the uptake of deliberately produced nanomaterials or mixtures containing nanoparticles via the intestines, their transport and cellular effects, primarily in the intestines and liver. In this context, substances such as food colourings, food supplements, pesticides or nanoplastics polymers of various food-related materials are investigated.

Chemical safety

Current research priorities in the area of chemical safety include the establishment of so-called novel animal-free test methods (New Approach Methodologies, NAMs) to improve the predictability of the toxicological potential of nanomaterials. Another focus is on the investigation of nano-specific mechanisms of action, in particular by using omics methods and their data integration, in order to develop new testing and assessment methods based on an in-depth mechanistic understanding.

In the area of tattooing products, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is currently investigating the solubilities of various pigments in relevant media (e.g. sweat simulant) in order to draw initial conclusions about their distribution in the human body.

Single particle analysis methods are being developed to determine the uptake and distribution of nanomaterials in various tissues.

Adaptation of guidelines and directives

An important activity is the ongoing adaptation of guidelines and directives for the examination of nanomaterials, such as OECD Test Guidelines (TGs) and Guidance Documents (GDs). This is carried out within the framework of European and international committees (e.g. OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, OECD WPMN) and is supported by the activities of various research projects.

Innovative materials and manufacturing techniques

More recent BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment research projects are already increasingly dealing with more complex nano and other innovative materials (e.g. External Link:HARMLESS). In the consumer-related area, studies are also being conducted on the emission of (nano-)particles during additive manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing. In these studies, the released particles are characterised in terms of their shape and size as well as their chemical composition. Furthermore, the focus is increasingly on possible health risks from micro- and nanoplastics (External Link:POLYRISK).

Establishment and testing of novel methodologies (NAMs) for risk assessment

The establishment of novel methodologies (NAMs) for nanomaterials is also an important overarching research focus at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority-funded NAMS4NANO joint project is a selected current research project in which several BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment departments are involved. In total, scientists from ten institutions are working together with the overarching goal of gaining a deeper understanding of the possibilities, challenges and remaining uncertainties in the use of NAMs in the risk assessment of nanomaterials. The project comprises several sub-projects. In the first sub-project, under the leadership of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, an overview article on the currently available NAMs for nanomaterials has been prepared and a detailed proposal has been made on how NAMs can be used more quickly in assessments in the future. In a second sub-project, also under the leadership of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, selected/prioritised NAMs are currently being tested in risk assessment case studies. In a third sub-project, under the leadership of the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), individual methodologies are being further developed.

Public perception of nanotechnology

Due to the increasing presence of ‘nano-products’ in the everyday lives of consumers, the question of public perception of nanotechnology also remains topical.

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has held a consumer conference to initiate a participatory dialogue on the subject of nanotechnology and nanomaterials and to draw up a consumer statement following an expert hearing. Among other things, the issues to be prioritised, consumer concerns and the regulatory approach to nanotechnology were communicated to decision-makers from science, industry and politics.

Link to the consumer statement

With the participation of various social groups, the field of nanotechnology was pre-structured on the basis of potential risks using a Delphi study, thus laying the foundation for future BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment risk assessments of nanotechnology applications.

Link to results

Representative population surveys were conducted at different points in time to clarify which factors influence individual risk perception, which social dynamics are important when it comes to nanotechnology, and in which direction public opinion on nanotechnology could develop. For direct utilisation of the results, the question was also examined as to which communication measures are particularly suitable for conveying risk-relevant information regarding nanotechnology in order to better reach large sections of the population.

Link to results

In order to analyse the facets and tonality of media reporting on the subject of nanotechnology, media content analyses and an analysis of online discussions were also carried out.

Link to results

BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment will continue its social science research projects in this dynamic field in order to establish further suitable communication measures for conveying risk-relevant information regarding nanotechnology.

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