Nanotechnology Lawyer & Attorney : Porter Wright Morris & Arthur : Nanotechnology Law Report - Germanium nanobead image provided by UT-Battelle, which manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the Department of Energy

Yesterday, Safenano and Defra, UK Government Department for Food & Rural Affairs, released EMERGNANO, the first global review of environmental, health, and safety studies examining the risks of nanotechnology exposure (essentially a study of the ongoing studies).  The review examined more than 250, from approximately 670, studies in the context of the 18 Research Objectives defined by the UK's Nanotechnology Research Coordination Group.  The project's goal was to conduct "a detailed review and analysis of research carried out worldwide on Environment, Health and Safety aspects of engineered nanoparticles, including issues relating to hazard, exposure and risk assessment and regulation, and made an assessment of how far 18 of the [Research Objectives] have been met and which gaps still remain to be filled."

Providing comprehensive reviews and analyses of EHS research to determine exposure risks is another important step in determining the potential risks of engineered nanomaterials.  This review is also likely to help fame future research studies in terms of effectiveness and need.

The full EMERGNANO report is available here.  In addition, a condensed version is also available as well as commentary by EMERGNANO authors.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The December 4, 2006 on-line edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is set  to publish findings from a recent in vivo animal study researching the possible health effects of SWCNTs deliberately injected into the bloodstream.  Scientists at Rice University and the University of Texas are said to have found that carbon nanotubes are filtered from the bloodstream by the liver over one hour after injection.  The scientists are also said to have sampled tissue from various locations in the test animals and apparently found SWCNT deposits in the liver, and trace amounts in the kidney -- both of which were expected.  Preliminary reports believe the study supports the conclusion that there are no immediate adverse health effects from SWCNTs injected into the bloodstream.  Look for more information about this study in upcoming posts.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link