Necessity and approach to integrated nanomaterial legislation and governance

Our plain-English summary of Necessity and approach to integrated nanomaterial legislation and governance, by J. Wang, J.D. Gerlach, N. Savage, et al (The Science of the Total Environment, 2013).

The study

• Authors: J. Wang, J.D. Gerlach, N. Savage, G.P. Cobb
• Journal: The Science of the Total Environment
• Published: 2013;442:56-62
• Cited by: 11 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising technologies to emerge in recent decades. Materials that are specially engineered to have at least one dimension that is no larger than 100 nm are now continuously manufactured and incorporated as critical components of different products that people use daily. While we are taking advantage of nanomaterials (NMs) and nano-products, they may pose a risk to humans and the broader environment. Some types of fibrous NMs such as carbon nanotubes and nano-fibers may present a risk similar to that of asbestos. Some carbon or metal based NMs may threaten the environment due to their bioaccumulative nature within food webs. In order to prevent future adverse effects from products or byproducts of nanotechnology, we suggest an integrated multi-faceted approach which includes an integrated regulation that is based upon life cycle assessment, empirically derived risk assessment. Advanced research that fills the knowledge gap regarding the understanding of NMs in scientific and social norms will be helpful in a full life cycle assessment of NMs. Emphasizing nanotechnology education to the public for an increased understanding and participation associated with media coverage will finally draw governments' attention with an integrated legislation to be instituted. Developing the optimal mix of these tools, including research, public education, media coverage, integrated legislation, will be significant to proactively manage the complexity of nanotechnology and prevent any undesirable effect due to the NMs exposure.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In plain English

This 2013 article was a review and policy commentary, not an original study, and it reported no new data. The authors reviewed published research on the risks of engineered nanomaterials (materials about 1 to 100 nm in size) to the environment and human health. They also summarized how nanotechnology was regulated, mainly in the United States. Citing other researchers' work, they noted that some nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and nano-fibers, have characteristics similar to asbestos fibers. They described one cited laboratory study in which carbon nanofibers and single-walled carbon nanotubes were less toxic to cells than asbestos, but carbon nanofibers caused the most DNA damage. A second cited animal study ranked single-walled carbon nanotubes above asbestos in the number of proteins affected. They reported that the US EPA treated nanomaterials as chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The authors argued that asbestos regulation had followed a reactive path. They recommended federal legislation covering nanomaterials from manufacture to disposal, based on life-cycle assessment and supported by research, public education and media coverage.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Review of published research on nanomaterial risks, plus a summary of nanotechnology regulation and a policy proposal; no original data
• Who was studied: No study population; published literature on nanomaterial toxicity (animals, cell lines, environmental organisms) and nanotechnology regulations, mainly in the United States
• Exposure: Engineered (industrial) nanomaterials, including carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotubes and fullerenes and metal-based materials such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide; asbestos appears only as a comparison
• Main results:
  • Based on cited literature, the authors stated that some nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and nano-fibers, have characteristics similar to asbestos fibers
  • In a cited in vitro study (Kisin et al., 2011), carbon nanofibers and single-walled carbon nanotubes were less cytotoxic than asbestos, but DNA damage and micronucleus induction were most prevalent with carbon nanofibers
  • In a cited in vivo study (Teeguarden et al., 2011), the number of proteins affected ranked single-walled carbon nanotubes above asbestos, and asbestos above ultrafine carbon black, following potency to induce inflammation
  • Cited rodent studies of carbon nanotubes reported significant pulmonary pathologic changes
  • A cited rat study reported a higher incidence of lung tumors after two years of exposure to ultrafine titanium dioxide
  • None of the four leading public sector investors in nanotechnology (Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) regulated it beyond laws for traditional chemicals
  • The US EPA treated nanomaterials as chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act
  • The authors argued that asbestos and oil spill regulations had followed a reactive path that should be avoided for nanotechnology
• The authors' conclusion: The authors recommended federal legislation covering nanomaterials from manufacture through disposal, based on life-cycle assessment and supported by research, public education and media coverage

Related studies

• An integrated approach to testing and assessment of high aspect ratio nanomaterials and its application for grouping based on a common mesothelioma hazard — F. Murphy, S. Dekkers, et al. (2021)
• The carcinogenic potential of nanomaterials, their release from products and options for regulating them — H. Becker, F. Herzberg, et al. (2011)
• Research on the societal impacts of nanotechnology: a preliminary comparison of USA, Europe and Japan — M. Matsuda, G. Hunt (2009)
• Investigating the interaction of cellulose nanofibers derived from cotton with a sophisticated 3D human lung cell coculture — M.J. Clift, E.J. Foster, et al. (2011)
• Toxicity of nanomaterials — S. Sharifi, S. Behzadi, et al. (2012)
• Cell entry of one-dimensional nanomaterials occurs by tip recognition and rotation — X. Shi, A. von dem Bussche, et al. (2011)

Browse more research in The Science of the Total Environment, or return to medical research.