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NMP-2007-1.3-4 Creation of a critical and commented database on the health, safety and environmental impact of nanoparticles
Technical content / scope: A free access database (including tools) established at European level is needed to allow a comprehensive analysis of published data. This support action aims at creating a database on environment and health effect, which should include physicochemical characterization and properties of nanomaterials, explosion risks, hazard information like acute and chronic toxicity, toxicokinetics, ecotoxicity, bioaccumulation, exposure information throughout the life cycle of nanomaterials, environmental fate of nanoparticles, results from in vitro studies (such as cell and tissue penetration, potential circulatory effects, mutagenicity and genotoxicity, where the case), in vivo studies and occupational epidemiological studies. The database should be useful to identify potential risks with nanomaterials for workers, consumers or public at large. It should contain structured information from research papers and provide tools for text mining,. The database could serve the needs of users with different profiles (general public, scientific community, regulators) and also contain a collection of research papers with their metadata (paper source, authors, date, etc.). The database should be at European level and allow integration with other European related databases such as those related to chemicals, food or pharmaceutical and medical products. Moreover, it could also serve as interface with similar non-EU databases. A balanced “governing board” encompassing representatives of all main EU stakeholders should be established. Activities should take into account existing and ongoing EU projects of a similar nature, and be complementary to them or based upon them. Access to the database and consolidated information of the results of the analyses, updates and methodology should be provided appropriately.
Funding scheme: Coordination and support actions aiming at supporting research activities. Only one database and support action will be funded.
Specific features: Main elements should be created within 12 months and the database should be made available. It should be regularly updated within a total indicative duration for this action of 4 years. Activities should take into account existing and ongoing relevant initiatives involving the creation of databases. Gender issues should be considered, where appropriate.
Expected impact: (i) Better understanding of the impact of nanoparticles on health and the environment, and definition of future actions; (ii) safe and responsible development and use of nanotechnology; (iii) support to research and regulation; (iv) support to regulatory measures and implementation of legislation; (v) implementation of the European Commission’s Action Plan for Nanotechnology; (vi) support to good governance in nanotechnology.