NanoSafety – a multidisciplinary approach to supporting Nanotechnology Industries

Nanomaterials are highly diverse. Exploitation of their highly interesting physicochemical characteristics has allowed the development of a wide range of new and exciting commercial products. When designing a new nanomaterial or nanostructured material scientists have a wide range of substances to choose from and so what strategy should be employed to allow effective and efficient development? Obviously assessing the effectiveness of the material relative to the application being developed is key, but once a short list has been identified, how do you prioritise further?
The physicochemical characteristics that influence how nanomaterials behave also influence how they enter the human body, interact with cells and molecules, ultimately influencing their potential safety or toxicity. Toxicology studies have revealed that a range of properties such as composition, size, shape and charge can all influence toxicity. This toxicity includes local effects at the point entry into the body (e.g. lungs following inhalation) as well as at distal sites (e.g. the liver and immune system). We also need to consider potential impacts on the environment, but we can’t test every nanomaterial in every model for every endpoint. Can we generate an Intelligent Testing Strategy?
This presentation will discuss how this information can be used by industry, chemists and material scientists to inform the design choices for nanomaterials and nanostructured materials as well as the safe handling of nanomaterials. It will also highlight a number of questions that could benefit further from a multidisciplinary approach.