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Nanotechnologies - research reports

EMERGNANO report

The EMERGNANO report was commissioned by Defra and prepared by a consortium led by the Institute of Occupational Medicine, to review the worldwide progress made towards the environment, health and safety research objectives set by the Nanotechnologies Research Co-ordination Group (NRCG) in 2005. The NRCG co-ordinates and develops the UK’s evidence base on nanotechnologies relating to environmental, health and safety research.

EMERGNANO considered the completed and ongoing research into nanomaterials and nanotechnology between 2004 and 2008, making specific recommendations for new research to further increase our understanding of engineered nanomaterials and their effects. These will now be considered by the NRCG who will work with funding partners and other stakeholders to take forward future research in the UK.

NERC Propose Major Joint Research Effort with the US on the Behaviour and Effects of Nanomaterials in the Environment

The Natural Environment Research Council, in cooperation with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of finalising a major joint research effort to develop and validate predictive tools and similar conceptual models that predict exposure, bioavailability and effects of manufactured nanomaterials in the environment.  This activity will be implemented through a joint call issued by all organisations involved and will incorporate a common review and evaluations process. The intent is to form consortia of both UK and US investigators using combined but independent national funding arrangements.

It is anticipated that the call (or solicitation) will ask applicants to propose conceptual models and similar predictive tools for environmental fate, behaviour, interaction, bioavailability and effects focused on one or more classes of manufactured nanomaterials.  They will also be asked to propose research to validate and refine the proposed model(s). In addition, researchers will be asked to develop novel techniques for detection and characterisation of nanomaterials in complex environmental and biological systems.  The joint program aims to draw on complementary strengths in the UK and US to produce robust, validated predictive tools that accurately predict transport, fate and bioavailability of nanomaterials and their interaction with biological and ecological systems. The program will be strongly interdisciplinary in its approach.

It is anticipated that this collaborative research will generate valuable tools to support assessment of risks associated with the environmental release of manufactured nanomaterials.  It is anticipated that the solicitations will be issued in January or February 2009.

This work was launched in 2006 as the UK Environmental Nanoscience Initiative  (ENI) Phase 1. This began to address some of the key questions about the environmental fate, behaviour and effects of manufactured nanoparticles.

A brochure providing details of the ENI has been produced and Phase 2 has been launched.

Characterising the risks posed by engineered nanoparticles

The Government has now published it's second research report Characterising the Potential Risks posed by Engineered Nanoparticles. This report builds on the 2005 report and 2006 progress report, providing an update on the Defra's Nanotechnology Research Co-ordination Group’s objectives and associated programme of work.

In November 2005 the Nanotechnology Research Coordination Group (NRCG) produced a first research report setting out a programme of research objectives to characterise the potential risks posed by nanotechnologies, with a particular focus on nanoparticles. This report describes ongoing activities and funding mechanisms to address research priorities.

Review of gaps in environmental regulation for the products and applications of nanotechnologies

A regulatory gaps study lead by the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) which aims to consider the appropriateness of existing frameworks for environmental regulation in the face of potential risks posed by current and future products and applications of nanotechnologies. It will focus on the risks posed by free nanoparticles and nanotubes and identify measures to protect human health and the environment.

The manufacture and use of nanomaterials in the UK

Defra commissioned the Central Science Laboratory to undertake a scoping study into the manufacture and use of nanomaterials in the UK. The findings and conclusions are intended to inform Defra's policy thinking in the area of potential risks posed by nanomaterials, including the development of a voluntary reporting scheme for industries involved in the manufacture and use of nanomaterials.

Scoping studies

Two studies have recently been completed for Defra by the Health and Safety Laboratory and the Institute of Occupational Medicine to identify exposure and hazard data needs respectively for addressing the risks presented by nanoparticles and nanotubes. The reports have been used to identify research needs to find out more about the potential risks associated with free engineered nanoparticles to the environment and human health.

For more information contact nano.technology@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Page last modified: 19 May 2009
Page published: 21 October 2005

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs