In an article published on February 6, 2017 the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) informs that the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD WPMN) has released a new publication on “Alternative testing strategies in risk assessment of manufactured nanomaterials: Current state of knowledge and research needs to advance their use.” The document is part of the OECD WPMN’s Series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials.

“Alternative testing strategies, or strategies that reduce or replace the use of animal testing, have the potential to expedite the evaluation of new and existing substances by reducing the time and resources required to generate data compared to that of conventional tests,” the OECD WPMN explains. The new publication contains a report on the state of the science for alternative testing strategies in risk analysis of nanomaterials, a case study on methods for alternative testing strategies for nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2), as well as the outputs of a workshop on a multiple models approach to advance risk analysis of nanomaterials. On the basis of these contents, the OECD WPMN makes recommendations for actions “to advance knowledge and practice in 3-5 years’ time,” including i) determining the similarities and differences between nanomaterials and conventional chemicals, ii) harmonizing testing procedures and reporting, iii) monitoring occupational and environmental exposure, iv) developing appropriate nanomaterial groupings, v) developing Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) frameworks, vi) considering complex conditions, and vii) advancing safer-by-design principles for nanomaterials.

Read more

NIA (February 6, 2017). “New OECD Publication addresses Alternative Testing Strategies in Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials.

References

OECD (January 30, 2017). “Alternative testing strategies in risk assessment of manufactured nanomaterials: current state of knowledge and research needs to advance their use.(pdf)

Shatkin, J.A. and Ong, K.J. (2016). “Alternative testing strategies for nanomaterials: State of the science and considerations for risk analysis.Risk Analysis 36(8):1564-80.

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