On June 4, 2015 the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands published a report on “Grouping nanomaterials: A strategy towards grouping and read-across”. RIVM commissioned the development of a strategy to evaluate the potential for read-across for nanomaterials. In this scope, a literature review on physico-chemical properties and their relevance for the behavior, fate and toxicity of nanomaterials in organisms and the environment was compiled. A base set of physico-chemical properties that are essential for characterization of nanomaterials and demonstrate possibilities for read-across was identified. These properties include, among others, porosity and solubility. Further, the strategy provides a framework to evaluate nanomaterials and decide on the applicability of read-across. Based on two hypothetical case studies – on nanosilver and nanotitanium dioxide, respectively – the approach proved useful. However, the authors of the report concluded that more detailed descriptions of the relevant physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials and test conditions are needed to support read-across.

On June 9, 2015 the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the results of the testing program on nanomaterials and concluded that standard chemical testing guidelines are for the most part applicable to nanomaterials (FPF reported).

Read more

Sellers, K. et al. (2015). “Grouping nanomaterials : A strategy towards grouping and read-across.RIVM

RIVM (June 4, 2015). “Cost-effective risk assessment of nanomaterials may be feasible.

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