In order to evaluate the nano-materials risks and take the appropriate preventative methods, there are many new research projects. One of the best project is the Sustainable Nanotechnologies Project (SUN), which has been given 13 million euros of funding from the European Commission.
Over 100 scientists from 25 research institutions and industries in 12 different European Countries, coordinated by the group of professor Antonio Marcomini from Ca' Foscari University of Venice.
After 3 years of research in laboratories and in contact with industrial partners, the scientists have processed, tested and made available an online platform that supports industries and control and regulating institutions in evaluating potential risks that may arise for the production teams, for the consumers and for the environment.
These results, disseminated in over 140 research papers, have been immediately taken up by industries and regulators and will inevitably have great impact on developing safer and more sustainable nanotechnologies and on regulating their risk
To access to (SUN) website please visit:
http://www.sun-fp7.eu
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I think nanomaterials in engineered products are generally not freely available to cause biological damage in target organs. Very obviously, you will find these products now well-integrated in people daily life. On the other hand, the use of nanoparticles in nanofluids for instance may result in potential risk of ecotoxicity. Then, as long as it is a regulated practice Nanomaterials use in engineering applications is always of great interest.
Who knows... There were a lot of tragic things in the history: radioactivity, cancerogenic materials, teratogenic drugs, etc. Sometimes new substances are more dangerous than it looks from first glance.
But all is not so bad. Just google "nanotoxicology" - there are a lot of researches, reviews, even state regulations in this area.