Nanotechnology will be one of the key technological drivers in building
an innovation European Union (EU) based on smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth. Nanotechnology has also been identified as the key-enabling technology
(KET) for the EU. Nanotechnology has rapidly promoted the development a
new generation of smart and innovative products and processes that are nanoenabled,
and have created a tremendous growth potential for a large number of
industry sectors. It is important that this development continues so that all the
useful properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) can be fully utilized in a
number of nanotechnology applications.
The marked benefits brought about by ENM and nanotechnology applications
have also created some concerns of their possible effects on human health
and safety and environmental burden. A few observations on some potentially
harmful effects of ENM have in some cases overshadowed the dramatic benefits
of these materials and their nanotechnology applications. However, the real
concern, rather than observations on some hazards of exposure to ENM, is the
lack of systematic studies on hazards of or exposure to ENM. Hence, the true
importance of this document is the identification of the knowledge gaps related
to ENM safety, and directing the future research on ENM to enable the alleviation
of the uncertainty, the real source of potential concerns associated with
ENM and nanotechnology.
This document on the strategic priorities of nanosafety research during
2015-2025 has been produced as a joint effort of the European NanoSafety
Cluster, a forum incorporating FP6 and FP7 funded nanosafety research projects.
It also includes several nanosafety research projects, that have been funded
by different EU Member States It identifies four major areas of research would
greatly benefit our current understanding of ENM features, exposure to them,
hazard mechanisms of ENM, as well as their risk assessment and management.
Hence, the strategic vision on the future directions of European nanosafety research
presented in this document may have a major impact on the future nanosafety
research within and outside the European Union, and consequently, on
the success of nanotechnologies
