The accompanying report says that while existing methodologies are likely to identify hazards to human health, there is no clear evidence to suggest that these techniques are appropriate for validating the environmental impact of nanomaterials.
"This is an immensely important issue and a good vehicle for comment," David Williams, chair of the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks, told nanotechweb.org. "The European Commission is very keen on transparency and we are obliged to take all serious, scientifically based comments into account before finalizing the document."
The detailed dossier will be used by organisations such as the World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It will also provide the basis for changes to the commission's technical guidance documents that underpin the regulation of the introduction of new substances into Europe.
"I chaired the two working groups of the committee dealing with nanotechnology and I believe that we had the best experts on nanotoxicology and pathology in Europe in attendance," said Williams. "We considered all validated and credible scientific evidence concerning both the effects on humans and on the environment and then formulated detailed conclusions and recommendations based upon this evidence."
Williams and his team have proposed a strategy for the risk assessment of nanomaterials that involves four stages:
1 - identify whether the manufacture, use and/or end-of-use disposal or recycling could result in exposure of humans or environmental species and ecosystems
2 - characterize the nature, level and duration of any exposure
3 - identify the hazardous properties of any forms of the nano material to which significant exposure is likely
4 - characterize the hazard and the final risk assessment.
The public consultation closes on 23 May and interested parties are invited to submit their comments on the evaluation and recommendations via the committee's homepage.