UK Government must do more to encourage nano safety research, says new report
Without a substantial home research effort the UK will be unable to take part effectively in international research collaborations in the nanoscience and nanotechnology fields, according to a new report from the UK's Council for Science and Technology (CST). The report follows a Government paper in 2005 in which it made a number of commitments. The Government paper was itself a response to a report from the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, published in 2004. The CST report welcomes progress made over the last two years in setting standards so as to minimise exposure to nanomaterials in the workplace and in public spaces, but points to a lack of progress on encouraging research into the potential risks linked to research at the nanoscale. 'There is a pressing need for a strategic programme of central Government spending into the toxicology, health and environmental effects of nanotechnologies,' said Professor Sir John Beringer, who chaired the CST sub-committee that carried out the review. 'Without a substantial home research endeavour, the UK risks being left out in the cold in future international collaborations.' The lack of research into potential risks can be largely traced back to an over-reliance on responsive mode funding, according to the CST. Professor Ann Dowling, who chaired the academies original report in 2004, agrees: 'At the end of 2005 the Government identified sound priorities for the research needed to inform the development of appropriate safety regulations. However, we can see that the ad hoc approach to funding this research has clearly not worked. This is something the Government must address, but signalling it will set aside earmarked money, when it formally responds to CST's report,' she said. The Government is however praised for its development of international links, dialogue with industry, and its support for the development of standards. Internationally the UK has established and chairs a standards committee on nanotechnologies, and has been instrumental in setting up a series of meetings involving EU Member States and the European Commission on nanotechnologies, says the CST. The UK has also been very involved in working and steering groups on nanotechnology within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). However, the CST adds that 'such international projects, particularly those of the OECD, rely upon the contributions and research of member countries in order to make progress. Without a substantial home research effort, the UK's ability to engage in future international dialogue risks being compromised.' The CST's recommendations, addressed to the Government, include the ring-fencing of a proportion of the budget for research into toxicology and the health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials, and proactive engagement with the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for research (FP7). In terms of research, the Government is advised to support: the setting of short-term toxicity protocols for nanomaterials currently on the market; substantive research into the toxicology, health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials; and the development of methodologies for life cycle assessments involving nanomaterials. Other recommendations relate to the interface with industry, regulation, the voluntary reporting scheme and public engagement.
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