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Joint research project to explore nano risk management

27 January 2011

A new collaborative initiative between experts from the UK and US is aiming to develop risk management tools for nanomaterials.

Solutions are being developed by a group of scientific and environmental agencies from the two countries that can be employed by governments to better regulate the field.

The Nanomaterial Bioavailability and Environmental Exposure (Nano-BEE) Consortia will examine a variety of nanomaterials, providing ways of allowing regulators to identify the greatest problems associated with substances based on location.

Vicki Colvin of Rice University, who is leading the group, stated: "We expect to see a lot of variability: What is safe in one area may be unsafe someplace else."

She added certainty is an important factor for emerging technologies and "a predictable and quantitative framework for regulation" will help to boost confidence in nanoscience.

Projections published by analyst RNCOS last month forecast a compound annual growth rate for the global nanotechnology industry of 19 per cent between 2011 and 2013.