SAFENANO Feature Articles
SAFENANO's Feature articles are written by both SAFENANO team members and invited experts, and provide insight into key and emerging issues across the breadth of nanotechnology EHS research. Please follow the links to access your article of choice, or browse our Feature Article Archive to access articles from the last three years of SAFENANO.
Don't forget to check back for new articles - we are updating this area regularly!
Latest Feature Articles
The importance of studying the bio-durability of carbon nanotubes
Julia Varet, SAFENANO Toxicologist
In this feature article, SAFENANO toxicologist Dr Julia Varet highlights the importance of studying the in vitro biodurability of carbon nanotubes as part of an integrative hazard assessment, firstly explaining the background concept for such tests and then providing an overview of some key research studies published on this topic.
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HARN Dimension and Pleural Retention
Craig Poland, SAFENANO Research Toxicologist
In June 2011, researchers Murphy et al. from the University of Edinburgh, U.K. published a paper in The American Journal of Pathology which further addresses the issue of carbon nanotubes and pathology occurring in the space between the lung surface and the chest wall known as the pleural space, a site known to be a target for harmful fibres such as asbestos. In our second Feature Article for summer 2011, Craig Poland provides an insightful commentary on its contribution towards investigating the fibre pathogenicity paradigm, and explains the danger of blanket statements such as ‘all carbon nanotubes are like asbestos’.
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Sheona Peters, SAFENANO Associate Editor
In this feature article, SAFENANO's Sheona Peters provides an overview of a series of recently published articles from members of the EU FP7 ENRHES Project team, which assess the feasibility and challenges of conducting a human health risk assessment for four different types of nanomaterials.
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Feature Article Archive
2010
Nanotoxicology 2010: Moving from speculation to Results
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In our third feature article for 2010, SAFENANO's Bryony Ross, Sheona Peters & Julia Varet report on the Nanotoxicology 2010 conference, which was held in Edinburgh in June. The event attracted over 400 of delegates from around the world, and provided a forum to share the latest results from across the breadth of nanotoxicology. |
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The autumn SnIRC Meeting 2009; Strenghtened Communication to Support Integrated nanoEHS Research in the UK
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In our second feature article for 2010, SAFENANO's Sheona Peters & Bryony Ross report on the third annual SnIRC Day, an event which brought together some of Scotland's best Nanotechnology Environment, Health & Safety researchers, providing an opportunity for young researchers and respected experts alike to share ideas and exchange opinions, and showing once again that Scotland remains at the cutting-edge of the field. |
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SAFENANO's Review of 2009
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In our first feature article for 2010, we provide a summary of key nanoEHS developments from 2009, and consider how these are likely to shape 2010 in nano. Authored by SAFENANO Director Rob Aitken and Editor Bryony Ross, the article provides a personalised account of news, publications and legal developments from 2009 that stood out from the crowd.
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2009
Linking Nanoparticle Exposure to Pulmonary Fibrosis and Mortality, Evaluating the Key Messages of Song et al.
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In SAFENANO's first feature article for August '09, we examine a study published in the forthcoming issue of the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ), which for the first time claims a concrete link between exposure to nanoparticles in adhesive paint and development of severe pulmonary fibrosis in a group of young female workers; two of whom went on to suffer fatal lung failure. Bryony Ross, SAFENANO's Editor presents a concise summary and appraisal of the publication and those issues it raises. |
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Toxicity of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in rats exposure for 3 months, a SAFENANO Commentary on Ma-Hock et. al.
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In our second feature article for August '09, we focus on a recently published study by Ma-Hock et. al., which examines inhalation toxicity of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in rats exposed for three months. Importantly, this study not only demonstrates the potential for MWCNTs to induce lung toxicity in exposed rats at low concentrations, but incorporates numerous advances in methodology. SAFENANO's Sheona Peters & Rob Aitken consider what features of the study make it such a significant step forward towards generating suitable data to support regulatory risk assessments. |
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Nanotechnology and Nanoscience: Opportunities and Uncertainties...5 Years on
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To mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of the Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering (RS/RAE) report 'Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: Opportunities and Uncertainties', our first July feature article reflects on how we've progressed in the nanotechnology health and safety field in comparison to the RS/RAE's original vision, and asks if our understanding of the issues have really progressed as far it could be.
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The SAFENANO List 2009 - Essential reading for nanotechnology EHS issues
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In our second feature article for July '09, we re-visit the SAFENANO List, and are pleased to present a fully updated compilation of what we feel are some of the most important reports and papers on nanotechnology EHS issues published to date.
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Report from the Health & Environmental Safety of Manufactured Nanoparticles Workshop
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SAFENANO's Sheona Peters reports on a recent workshop examining Health & Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials, hosted by JRC Ispra.
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147kb
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The Second SnIRC Day - Nano EH&S Research at its best in Scotland
Sheona Peters & Bryony Ross, SAFENANO/IOM
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In our first feature article for 2009, SAFENANO's Sheona Peters & Bryony Ross report on the second annual SnIRC Day, an event which brought together some of Scotland's best Nanotechnology Environment, Health & Safety researchers, providing an opportunity for young researchers and respected experts alike to share ideas and exchange opinions, and showing once again that Scotland remains at the cutting-edge of the field.
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2008
REACH and the regulation of Nanotechnology
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Bryan Ward and Sarah Harley of IOM/SAFENANO the current uncertainties, complexities and limitations in the regulation of nanotechnologies under REACH, and highlights the potential impacts of this new regulation on the rapidly growing nanotechnology industry.
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Nanoecotoxicity testing with Lymnea stagnalis
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SAFENANO focuses for the first time on ecotoxicology as Sarah Harley of IOM/SAFENANO provides her evaluation of Lymnea as a model for nanoecotoxicity testing using microscale and nanoscale Carbon Black particles, and outlines why we need to further investigate the suitability of additional aquatic species in order to represent better the aquatic environment as a whole.
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203kb
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Strengthening communication amongst nanosafety researchers in the UK: Report from the first annual SnIRC day
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Using the example of a meeting held by the SnIRC group during June of this year, SAFENANO's September feature article focusses on strengthening communication in the nanotoxicology community.
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| Commentary on Nature Nanotechnology CNT & Asbestos paper
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Professor Ken Donaldson of Edinburgh University provides an exclusive insight into the massively influential Nature Nanotechnology paper released this month relating Carbon Nanotube toxicity to that of Asbestos from the perspective its lead researcher.
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Nanotechnology: An insurer's perspecive
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David Baxter, Lead Researcher on Emerging Risks for Lloyd's of London, introduces the concept of insuring new technologies, and discusses the issues presented to the insurance industry by nanotechnology.
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2007
2007 - A Big Year for SAFENANO
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SAFENANO's final feature article of 2007 is from Rob Aitken, SAFENANO's Director. In it, Rob reflects on the events of 2007 and discusses what exactly made the year the biggest one yet for nanotech and SAFENANO. |
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Is Engineered Nanomaterial Exposure a Myth?
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SAFENANO's first October Feature Article is from Dr Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. In this article, Andrew presents and discusses the question 'Is exposure to engineered nanomaterials a myth?'. |
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Report from the first BOHS Nanotechnology Seminar
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Bryony Ross reports on the proceedings and presentations at the British Occupational Hygiene Society's first Nanotechnology EHS seminar, held in Eastbourne (UK) during autumn 2007.
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REFNANO - the UK-led Initiative on Reference Materials for Nanotechnology
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Dr Steve Hankin, SAFENANO Expert Consultant and co-author of REFNANO - a report on the UK-led Initiative on Reference Materials for Nanotechnology - discusses the report and what he feels it will offer the wider nanotechnology community in the longer term.
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A Focus on Standardisation
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Dr Peter Hatto, Chair of the ISO/TC229 Nanotechnologies Committee and Director of IonBond UK, discusses current standardisation activities regarding nanotechnology.
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SAFENANO in a Nutshell
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This presentation given recently by Rob Aitken, Director of SAFENANO, outlines the background and aims of SAFENANO.
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580kb
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Book Review: Nanomaterials - Toxicity, Health and Environmental Issues
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This Book review was authored by J.D. Kilgour of Syngenta, and was sourced from the British Toxicology Society Newsletter, Summer 2007.
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Nanotoxicology 2007 - View from the Top Table
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Dr Lang Tran, Head of Toxicology for the IOM, provides an overview of the Nanotoxicology 2007 Conference, which he chaired in San Servolo, Venice.
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144kb
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Progress in UK nanotechnology and SAFENANO
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Dr John Garrod, Nanotechnology Policy Advisor to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), UK, discusses recent progress in the nanotechnology field and the contribution of SAFENANO to this.
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Nano Risk Reviews: The SAFENANO List
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Dr Rob Aitken, SAFENANO Director, outlines a list of essential reading for stakeholders in the nano-EHS field.
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43kb
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Book Review: Particle Toxicology
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Dr Steve Hankin, SAFENANO Expert Consultant, reviews the recently published book entitled 'Particle Toxicology'.
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48kb
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