The potential benefits of nanotechnology are great, but concerns remain about whether safety issues will arise in the future as more nanoparticles – an area comparatively under-researched – are used for different purposes.
For example, nanoparticles are used to make sunscreens transparent on the skin, but whether the size of the particles may allow them to permeate protective barriers in the body and what risks that might pose is largely an unknown as their scale also changes the way they interact with other cells, which could lead to unforeseen toxic effects.
The Centre for Nano Safety has been set up to identify whether a variety of nanoparticles can enter the human body – as well as other species such as bacteria, insects and plants – and cause harm. Its aim is to find out what characteristics of nanoparticles might make them toxic so the information can be used: • by industry to design safer products; • by regulators to generate legislation to protect humans and the environment; and • by consumers to make informed choices.
Scientists at the new centre have attracted £1.3m worth of funding and have established collaborations with researchers in 27 European countries, as well as the US, Japan and Australia.
Professor Anne Glover, chief scientific adviser for Scotland, who officially opened the new centre at Edinburgh Napier's Craighouse Campus, said: "Given the widespread use of nanomaterials in a variety of everyday products, it is essential for us fully to understand them and their potential impacts. This centre is one of the first in the UK to bring together nanoscience research across human, environment, reproductive health and microbiology to ensure the safe and sustainable ongoing use of nanotechnology."
Director of the Centre for Nano Safety, Professor Vicki Stone, added: "Nanomaterials are used in a diverse range of products from medicines and water purifiers to make-up, food, paints, clothing and electronics. It is therefore essential that we fully understand their long-term impact. We are dedicated to understanding the ongoing health and environmental effects of their use and then helping shape future policy for their development. The launch of this new centre is a huge step forward in this important area of research."
The Centre for Nano Safety, part of Edinburgh Napier's School of Life Sciences, has been funded by a variety of organisations, including: BBSRC, Carnegie Trust, The Colt Foundation, The Daphne Jackson Trust, DEFRA, Economic and Social Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Environment Agency, Health Protection Agency, Joint Environment and Human Health Programme (UK), Medical Research Council, Ministry of Defence, Natural Environment Research Council, Seventh Framework Programme, Unilever and the Wellcome Trust. www.news.napier.ac.uk
