The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced the release of 17 new, updated, corrected or deleted Test Guidelines. The Test Guidelines include three that are specifically developed for nanomaterials.

A full list of publications in the Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials is available on the OECD WPMN website via http://www.oecd.org/env/ehs/nanosafety/publications-series-safety-manufactured-nanomaterials.htm

(1) Test No. 318: Dispersion Stability of Nanomaterials in Simulated Environmental Media (PDF, 1.5 MB)

This document offers guidelines on a test procedure to gain information on dispersion stability of manufactured nanomaterials in simulated environmental media. It allows the users to understand the nanomaterials fate in natural waters and their potential behaviour in test media.

(2) Test No. 412: 28 days (Subacute) Inhalation Toxicity Study (PDF, 354 KB)

(3) Test No. 413: Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity: 90-day Study (PDF, 354 KB)

Both documents have been revised and designed to fully characterise test article toxicity by the inhalation route following repeated exposure for a limited period of time (28 days and 90 days, respectively), and to provide data for quantitative inhalation risk assessments. The updates concern: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) measurements; Particle-Size Distribution For Test Atmospheres; Post-Administration Duration; and Lung Burden Measurements. The information that will be gathered through these new endpoints make it applicable for assessing potential inhalation hazards of nanomaterials, while the information that will be gathered will deepen our understanding on the mode of action by which nanomaterials may act.