5. The challenges of nanotechnology
Spectacular promises, benefits for all
...but at what price?
these questions arising in a world in which consumers are
increasingly intolerant to risk
6. D R M A R I O N P A L M E R
S E N I O R S C I E N T I S T
L O V E L L S S C I E N C E U N I T
Nanotechnology
7. Definition
Most widely used definition:
Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and manipulation of
materials at atomic, molecular and macromolecular scales,
where properties differ significantly from those at a larger
scale.
Nanotechnologies are the design, characterisation,
production and application of structures, devices and systems
by controlling shape and size at nanometre scale.
8. Millimetre scale (1 m = 1000 mm)
ant and flea
5 mm
3mm
1mm
http://www.nation
alinsectweek.co.u
k/resources/buzz
_ant_06.pdf
www.nanotec.org.uk/report/chapter2.pdf
http://commons.wiki
media.org/wiki/File:D
rosophila_melanoga
ster_-
_front_(aka).jpg
9. Micrometre scale (1 mm = 1000 µm)
eye of a fruit fly and a red blood cell
400 µm
8 µm
http://www.molbio1.princeton.edu/facility/confocal/sem/imagelist1.html
www.mta.ca/dmf/blood.htm
16. Volume to surface area ratio
As objects get smaller
they have a much
greater surface area
to volume ratio
2 cm cube has
a surface area
of 24 cm2 and a
volume of 8 cm3
(ratio = 3:1)
10 cm cube has a
surface area of 600
cm2 and a volume of
1000 cm3 (ratio =
0.6:1)
17. Physical properties
At very small sizes physical properties (magnetic,
electric and optical) of materials can change
dramatically.
http://www.omicron.de/index2.html?/re
sults/spin_polarized_tunneling_induce
d_luminescence_microcopy_sp_tilm/in
dex.html~Omicron
23. Why is there so much interest/concern about
nanotechnology?
Enormous potential
Huge gaps in knowledge concerning the possible
risks
Difficulty in detecting and removing
Absence of regulation
24. Potentials risks associated with nanotechnology
Adverse health effects in humans from deliberate or
accidental exposure
Adverse effects on the environment from deliberate or
accidental exposure
Potentially explosive properties of nanostructures
“Grey goo”
25. Risk assessment problems
Very difficult to detect without sophisticated equipment
Difficult to predict how particles will behave in the environment
(dispersed/clumped)
Small size may result in particles passing into the body more easily
(inhalation, ingestion, absorption)
May be more reactive due to surface area to volume ratio
Potential to adsorb toxic chemicals
Persistence - Longevity of particles in the environment and body are
unknown
26. Toxicological difficulties
All structures are likely to have a unique toxicological
profile
Standardised terminology agreed recently
Particle size may be less important than the surface
characteristics of the material
Standard dose-response tests may not be appropriate
28. Carbon Nanotubes
Commercially produced by companies such as
Thomas Swan
Desirable product
http://www.tennis.com/yo
urgame/gear/racquets/babo
lat/babolat.aspx?id=56932
29. Potential applications of carbon nanotubes
Materials & Chemistry
- Ceramic and metallic CNT composites
- Polymer CNT composites (heat
conducting polymers)
- Coatings (e.g. conductive surfaces)
- Membranes and catalysis
- Tips of Scanning Probe Microscopes
(SPM)
Medicine & Life Science
- Medical diagnosis (e.g. Lab on a Chip
(LOC))
- Medical applications (e.g. drug delivery)
- Chemical sensors
- Filters for water and food treatment
Electronics & ICT
- Lighting elements, CNT based field
emission displays
- Microelectronic: Single electron
transistor
- Molecular computing and data storage
- Ultra-sensitive electromechanical sensors
- Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
(MEMS)
Energy
- Hydrogen storage, energy storage (super
capacitors)
- Solar cells
- Fuel cells
- Superconductive materials
30. Carbon nanotubes
Have raised concerns due to a superficial likeness to
asbestos fibres and extreme durability
Potential exposures during manufacturing,
processing, product use and disposal
Have been researched more than most manufactured
nanostructures
31. CNT Research
Results have been variable dependent on dose, testing model, purity and type
of nanostructure
Research results to date:
Some coated CNTs appear to move freely throughout the body (mice) whereas others
are rapidly excreted
Installation experiments have shown inflammatory, fibrotic and immune changes
Inhalation experiments have shown small changes in the lung
Effects on the immune system
Effects on cell growth and death
Modification of tube coating by aquatic organisms
32. IOM HARN Report
Funded by Defra
Objective – "to undertake a scoping
study to review the existing literature
on industrial fibres and HARN to
determine whether high aspect ratio
nanoparticles (HARN) should raise the
same concerns as do asbestos fibres"
"This review has identified many
similarities between HARN and
asbestos with regard to their physico-
chemical properties and toxicological
effects and has concluded that there is
sufficient evidence to suggest that
HARN which have the same
characteristics (diameter, length and
biopersitence) as pathogenic fibres are
likely to have similar pathology.
This review has also highlighted the
lack of data in key areas of toxicology,
exposure and assessment."
33. Regulation
New generic nanotechnology regulations would be difficult to devise.
More likely that current regulations/legislation will be adapted to take
account of developments at the nanoscale.
Review by the European Commission* on the regulatory aspects of
nanotechnology : chemicals (REACH), worker protection (e.g. Directive
89/391/EEC), products (e.g. General Product Safety Directive),
environmental protection (e.g. Directive 2006/12/EC on waste)
"Current legislation covers in principle the potential health, safety and
environmental risks in relation to nanomaterials ...."
*Regulatory Aspects of Nanomaterials – Communication from the European Commission 2008
34. REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council
on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
"REACH is based on the principle that manufacturers, importers and
downstream users have to ensure that they manufacture, place on the market
or use such substances that do not adversely affect human health or the
environment."
Places an obligation on importers/manufacturers to produce a registration
dossier for any substance that is imported/manufactured in a quantity greater
than 1 tonne (>10 tonnes – chemical safety report)
Commission report states "There are no provisions in REACH referring
explicitly to nanomaterials. However, nanomaterials are covered by the
“substance” definition in REACH."
35. REACH and nanomaterials
Registration document will need to be updated if a
nanoversion of a material is introduced
however novel nanomaterials may not reach the weight threshold for
notification
Current testing guidelines may need to be modified – in the
interim testing should be carried out according to existing
guidelines
Substances of high concern require special authorisation
effects of most nanomaterials are unknown
36. October 2008
Amendment (Commission Regulation (EC) No 987/2008)
concerning the removal of carbon and graphite from lists of
exempt materials:
"The review carried out by the Commission pursuant to
Article 138(4) has revealed that three substances listed in
Annex IV should be removed from that Annex, as
insufficient information is known about these substances
for them to be considered as causing minimum risk
because of their intrinsic properties ... This is also the case
with carbon and graphite, in particular due to the fact that
the concerned Einecs and/or CAS numbers are used to
identify forms of carbon or graphite at the nano-scale,
which do not meet the criteria for inclusion in this Annex."
37. Nanotechnology and product liability
1. New technology and the concept of "defect"
2. Development risks
what is "discoverable"?
emerging knowledge and the benefit of hindsight
38. Nanotechnology and product liability
Regulatory intervention and regulatory compliance
Implications of REACH-style regulation
Relative responsibilities
• innovators
• other suppliers
• regulators
Duties to research/test/investigate/inquire