Oct. 20, 2006 — The UK government has published a progress report which provides an update on the government’s direction and details of progress made on research into possible risks posed by engineered nanoparticles to human health and the environment.

The report demonstrates the work already in hand across government to ensure that fundamental elements of understanding, such as how to measure and detect nanoparticles, is known. Further results from the research are intended to help inform decisions on appropriate control within the development of nanotech-based products and throughout their lifecycle.

The interim report follows the publication in November 2005 of the first UK government research report ‘Characterising the potential risks posed by engineered nanoparticles’. The 2005 report committed the government to an program of research to help address recognized gaps in knowledge about the health and environment-related risks and identified 19 research objectives.

The area is being looked at by five task forces, reporting to the Nanotechnology Research Coordination Group, addressing the following subjects/areas:

1: Metrology, Characterisation, Standardisation and Reference Materials

2: Exposure – Sources, Pathways, Technologies

3: Human Health Hazard and Risk assessment

4: Environmental Hazard and Risk assessment

5: Social and Economic Dimensions of Nanotechnologies

The new report includes details of the UK’s action plans covering the above subjects and sets out progress made towards meeting the 19 research objectives. It is intended to contribute evidence for regulators and provide a source of information both for applicants for research funding and for managers of research funding bodies.

This report can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/nanotech/research/reports/index.htm. A full progress report, updating both current knowledge and research objectives, is slated to be published by the end of 2007.