The European Union’s Observatory-NANO project has launched a new website to bring together work on the scientific, economic, societal, business, regulatory and risk issues surrounding nanotechnology.

The project is also currently writing 56 reports regarding the various scientific and technological developments covering a wide range of sectors.

At the time of this blog posting the scientific, economic, societal sections already contain some interesting information; however, the regulatory, business and HSE & risk sections are currently under construction. Interim annual reports from each section are expected in April 2009.

As insurers, the HSE & risk section is of particular interest and the following quote—taken from the project’s first newsletter (which can be subscribed to by registering on their website)—describes their work:

“Nanotechnology-based products, as with those from other technologies, have the potential to cause harm to both human health and the environment. A number of activities have been initiated over the last few years to investigate such impacts; however their coverage is still incomplete in terms of materials, exposure routes and doses. This work package will highlight such new research and make extensive links to existing databases, organisations, networks and initiatives. In addition, it will review the ST analysis performed within the project to determine what (if any) EHS impacts they may have that are not already being investigated by other projects/organisations.”

This will be headed up by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) and includes the CEA, RIVM and Empa. The IOM is based in the UK and also runs the SAFENANO project, an excellent resource for information on nanotechnology hazard and risk.

The health and safety comments echo those made in the Lloyd’s report on nanotechnology, which was published at the end of 2007.

In addition, a questionnaire for stakeholders in nanotechnology will be launched in December 2008 and will cover environmental health and safety as well as economic and societal impacts of nanotechnology.

Insurers may want to consider taking part in this to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in this rapidly developing field.

Tags: Nanotechnology

This entry was posted by David Baxter on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 at 6:21 pm and is filed under Exposure Management.