Forum Series: Research Strategies for Safety Evaluation of Nanomaterials

Michael P. Holsapple and Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman

The Forum Section of Toxicological Sciences is designed to include discussions and commentaries on relevant and timely issues facing toxicologists and to provide an interface between toxicology and public policy. In 2004, a series of articles to discuss approaches to carcinogenicity risk assessment was developed which featured contributions from prominent scientists from around the world. The goal for the series of articles was to facilitate the communication of ideas and promote global discussion to enhance the scientific basis for evaluating the cancer risk that chemicals might pose for people. In the present issue of the journal, we initiate the second series of Forum articles which will focus on the development of sound scientific strategies for the safety evaluation and risk assessment of nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials and structures of nanometer size have generated big interest and enthusiasm and even bigger expectations in many fields ranging from biomedical applications to electronics to energy production. While nanotechnology looms large with commercial promise and potential benefit, an equally large issue is the evaluation of potential effects on human and environmental health. A scientifically sound approach for developing safety evaluation strategies and standards is required, and toxicologists must be at the center of this effort. Toxicology must lead the way.

To date, there are very few articles on the safety evaluation of nanomaterials. In a search of the published literature as of 1 August 2005, fewer than 10 papers on safety evaluations of nanomaterials were found. In Toxicological Sciences, the significance of nanomaterials and safety evaluation is evident by the fact that the most frequently downloaded papers published in the journal since 2004 are articles evaluating the acute and subchronic pulmonary toxicity of nanotubes (Lam et al., 2004Go; Warheit et al., 2004Go). These articles, focusing on the effects of nanomaterials on a single organ system are important, but are clearly just the beginning.

The Forum Series on Nanomaterials is designed to provide: (1) summaries of recent important meetings and discussions concerning the safety evaluation of nanomaterials; (2) perspectives from government, academia, and industry on the best research and testing strategies for developing robust characterization and safety standards for nanomaterials, and (3) contributions from international scientists on global regulatory considerations for nanomaterial safety. The ultimate goal of the series is to contribute to awareness in the scientific community at large of the issues involved in regulating the safe use of nanomaterials. For toxicologists, the series is intended not only to inform but to stimulate discussion across sectors and to serve as a catalyst to harmonize research and regulatory efforts in this very "big" area.

REFERENCES

Lam, C.-W., James, J. T., McCluskey, R., and Hunter, R. L. (2004). Pulmonary toxicity of single-wall carbon nanotubes in mice 7 and 90 days after intratracheal instillation. Toxicol. Sci. 77, 126–134.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Warheit, D. B., Laurence, B. R., Reed, K. L., Roach, D. H., Reynolds, G. A. M., and Webb, T. R. (2004). Comparative pulmonary toxicity assessment of single-wall carbon nanotubes in rats. Toxicol. Sci. 77, 117–125.[Abstract/Free Full Text]





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