
Risks of nanos in water

By the AVICENN team – Last modification May 2020
Risks of nanos in water
The marketing and use of manufactured nanomaterials has increased considerably since the early 2000s in many fields: cosmetics, textiles, household appliances, sports equipment, glass and construction materials, cars, aeronautics, boats, food, etc.
More and more nanomaterials, nanoparticles or nanoparticle residues are present in water (from wastewater, some continue on to the treatment plants, then into rivers and streams). With what consequences for the aquatic fauna and flora? What about the microorganisms in the soil on which the sludge from the wastewater treatment plant is spread? Concerns are emerging among a growing number of stakeholders. Who is doing what on these different aspects?
On all these questions, only scattered information is available today, often difficult to understand for the non-specialist or addressing only a particular aspect without giving an overall vision.
Therefore, this dossier initiated in 2015 gathers the available information as well as the issues that arise today and could become a problem if no action is taken by the various institutions involved.
It is a base that we wish to complete and update according to the evolution of knowledge: your contributions are welcome!
Our information sheets on the subject
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Upcoming Nano Agenda

- Webinar presenting the example guide produced by NanoMesureFrance, to illustrate the difficulties encountered in dimensional analysis of particles by electron and atomic force microscopy.
- Organizers: Association NanoMesureFrance
- Speakers: Valérie Godefert & François-Xavier Ouf (LNE & NanoMesureFrance)
- Website: www.eventbrite.fr/…nanomesurefrance-webinar-…

- Advanced Characterization Techniques in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
- 10th European Congress on Advanced Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
- 14 and 15 April 2025
- Website: https://nanomaterialsconference.com

- 5th Joint Symposium on Nanotechnology
- Organizers: the Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network, with the support of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
- Date: May 13-14, 2025
- Topics:
- the application of nanotechnology in various sectors, including digitalization, 2D/3D printing, carbon-based materials and battery materials
- nano on various regulations (REACh, food contact materials, cosmetics, bioagents, PPPs)
- adaptation and development of OECD Test Guidelines for nano and advanced materials (Malta Initiative)
- review on nano-specific NAMs (new approach methodologies)
- when you’re nano and you know it: dealing with uncertainty regarding the nanomaterial definition in regulatory frameworks
- …
- Website: www.isc.fraunhofer.de/…2025/5th-symposium-nanotechnology.html
Any questions or comments? This information sheet compiled by AVICENN is intended to be completed and updated. Please feel free to contribute.
File originally created in February 2015