How nanoscale materials affect living organisms
Nanomaterials can be used for many revolutionary applications in areas as diverse as energy storage, electronics, paints and sports equipment. The properties associated with such small scales are not completely understood, and neither are the precise implications for human health and the environment. The EU-funded QUALITYNANO (A pan-European infrastructure for quality in nanomaterials safety testing) initiative worked to remove the uncertainty of the nanometre scale and support the safe development of nanotechnologies. Project partners launched a series of joint research activities to further knowledge and practices in the field of nanomaterial safety assessment. QUALITYNANO trained young researchers to test nanosafety in quantifiable and reproducible ways across different laboratories. The researchers did this by repeating the same tests in different laboratories using methodologies developed within QUALITYNANO and comparing the results. The project also promoted its message of nanoscale safety through public dissemination and training at conferences, workshops and seminars around the world. Researchers participated in hands-on training and research exchanges to promote QUALITYNANO safety standards. Nanotechnologies will potentially have a huge impact on many aspects of society. Nanotechnology researchers have an important role to play by ensuring their safe implementation.
Keywords
Nanoscale, nanomaterials, human health, QUALITYNANO, safety testing
