This document discusses the current state of knowledge regarding the health and safety risks of nanotechnology. It notes that while research into nanotechnology risks is growing, significant gaps remain, especially regarding long-term and chronic toxicity testing. Early studies show that surface properties and size of nanoparticles can impact transport, toxicity, and environmental fate, but more research is still needed. The document calls for increased funding of risk research, closing regulatory loopholes, voluntary standards, and stakeholder engagement to help manage risks in the face of existing uncertainties.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Research is beginning to
accumulate…
Scientific Journal Articles on Nanotechnology and Toxicity,
1982-2007
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4. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
And the budget for research is
growing…
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Sources: National Science Foundation, National Science and Technology Council; NNI 2008 Budget (http://www.nano.gov/NNI_08Budget.pdf); NNI
2007 Budget (http://www.nano.gov/NNI_07Budget.pdf)
Fiscal Year
5. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Why have special concerns with
nanoparticles?
• Analogy to fine particle
pollution
– Ability to move around the
body
– Possible shared mechanisms
of toxicity
• Size is uniquely suited to
interact with biological
machinery
www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=2019.php
http://www.transportation.anl.gov/research/engine/diesel_structure.html
6. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
What we need to assure safety
• Reliable ways to detect and measure
nanoparticles in air, water, food
• Understanding of distribution and persistence of
nanomaterials in the body
• Reliable testing methods for both acute and
chronic toxicity
• Test results for range of materials and endpoints
• Assurance that protective technologies work for
nanoparticles
7. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Early findings of a young
science…
• What properties affect
the transport and
toxicity of a
nanoparticle?
• Do nanoparticles
accumulate in the
body?
• How do nanoparticles
behave in the natural
environment?
13. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Early data on key questions
• What properties affect the transport and
toxicity of a nanoparticle?
– Surface treatment, size critical
• Do nanoparticles accumulate in the
body?
– Some do, some don’t; percent retained
tends to be low, no long term studies
16. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Early surprises in carbon
nanoparticle environmental fate
• Conventional wisdom:
– Carbon nanoparticles just stick to soil
• Studies show:
– Carbon nanotubes dissolve in Georgia river water
– Buckyballs form soluble, toxic nano-crystals
–Hyung et al. 2007
19. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
What do early studies show?
• Nanoparticles poorly cleared by white blood cells
(macrophages) in the lung
• Carbon nanotubes cause short-term inflammation
– Iron contaminants lead to much greater inflammation
• Two CNT studies show surprising lung fibrosis or
growths
– Appeared in the absence of ongoing inflammation
• No study has looked for effects longer than 90 days
20. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Hypothetical: nanoparticles harm the
heart like fine particle air pollution
• Nanoparticles are
small enough to
go through the
lungs
• Early lab and
mouse studies
show similar
types of damage
21. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Carbon nanotubes caused aortic
plaques in mice
• Instilled SWCNTs damaged
lung, aorta, and heart tissue
• Mice developed aortic DNA
damage at 7, 28, and 60
days after exposure
• Repeated exposure to
SWCNTs resulted in
accelerated plaque
formation in mice fed high
fat diet
Li et al. 2007
23. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Quantum dots vary in toxicity
• Studies have shown cellular
toxicity, DNA damage
(Hardman, 2007,Green 2005 )
– Longer exposure times
more likely to show toxicity
• Use of cadmium raises
concerns
– Long-term stability of caps
not certain
– Widespread applications
may lead to environmental
loading
26. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Early studies suggest importance
of protein binding
• Serum protein binding
facilitated uptake in the
liver and spleen
• Two different types of
nanoparticles sped up the
creation of Alzheimer-like
protein fibrillation
– Study used extreme
conditions- needs to be
replicated in more life-like
conditions
Linse et al., 2007
27. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
More than quantum leaps
• Enormous gaps remain
– Chronic toxicity-virtually no long-term test
results available
– Effects on development, nervous system,
immune system, etc., largely untested
– Very few data on environmental fate and
transport, ecotoxicity
28. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Temporary bridges
• Using the best available information to
make decisions
• Increasing the budget and focus of
governmental funded research
• Protecting workers and the environment
in the face of uncertainty
29. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Four Keys to Getting Nano Right
I. Significant increase in
government risk-
research investment
II. Close nano-loopholes in
regulations
III. Voluntary interim
standards
IV. Meaningful stakeholder
engagement
31. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
Nanotechnology Project
Conclusions
• Nanoparticles defy generalization
• Surface properties determine behavior and
toxicity
• Few nanoparticles show significant short-term
toxicity
• Early studies suggest some novel and some
known toxic mechanisms
• Very little known about long-term effects
• Risk management guidance is available