“Human and Ecotoxicity of Synthetic Nanomaterials - Initial Insights for Major Accident Prevention”

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing research and development area with increasing importance for the economy, research and society.
In the literaturestudy "human toxicity and ecotoxicity of engineered nanomaterials - Initial Insights for Major Accident Prevention " the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) has addressed the issue as to whether new criteria for the determination of the quantity thresholds quoted in the Ordinance on Protection against Major Accidents may result from the accident potential or possible new hypothetical accident scenarios related to the human and ecotoxicity of synthetic nanomaterials. 

The document, approximately 40 pages in length, analysed various synthetic nanomaterials and summarises the various international guidelines and research findings.

Conclusion:

At present, insufficient fundamental data are available to draw final conclusions on this question. However, knowledge gained until now does not suggest a need for immediate specific regulations to be included in the Ordinance on Protection against Major Accidents where nanomaterials are concerned.

The complete studyis available in several languages and can be accessed here (PDF, 700 KB)