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Nanomaterials Research

The BfR conducts own research to support the health risk assessment of nanomaterials as well as risk communication.

Nanomaterials are used in many areas of everyday life. In order to build up a reliable database for assessing the health risks associated with nanomaterials, the BfR participates in numerous research projects and initiates own research.

Over the past few decades, nanosafety research has carried out extensive investigations into the possible risks of nanomaterials for human health and the environment. The focus has primarily been on first-generation nanomaterials that have been on the market for some time. Based on the knowledge gained in this way, detailed guidelines for health risk assessment have been developed and intensive efforts have been made to adapt test methods. Future research projects are increasingly focused on novel and more complex materials.

Research strategy of the higher federal authorities on nanomaterials

As early as 2007, the BfR, together with the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), developed a joint research strategy to identify the potential risks of nanotechnology. The aim was to describe the research needed to assess possible health risks and to promote the development of suitable test methods and assessment strategies

• Research strategy on health and environmental risks of nanomaterials

The research strategy was evaluated in 2013 together with the National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)

• Evaluation of the research strategy

 and was updated in 2016 for nanomaterials and other advanced materials.

• Research strategy for nanomaterials and innovative materials

The strategy contains a summary of the results of completed projects and describes ongoing activities in the areas of characterisation, exposure, toxicological and ecotoxicological effects, as well as risk assessment and risk communication.

Research topics on nanomaterials at the BfR

The BfR has been involved in many different aspects of nanosafety research for many years. It participates in numerous national and European third-party funded projects.

The BfR third-party funded projects are listed on the BfR website in section:

• Third-party funded projects in the field of "Nanotechnology research: detection, toxicology, risk assessment and risk perception. 

Completed research projects

Many of the projects already completed focussed on the establishment of research methods for nanomaterials (e.g., QualityNano, NanoGenoTOX, NANoREG, NanoDefine, NANOaers). An important focus was on establishing and testing approaches for establishing groups (e.g., NanoReg2, nanoGRAVUR, NanoToxClass, InnoMat.Life, GRACIOUS). Here nanomaterials are categorised into groups based on proven similarities, which allows for a more efficient assessment. Some projects supported efforts at the level of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to adapt OECD test guidelines (OECD TGs) to nano-specific characteristics (e.g., Gov4Nano, NanoHarmony). Various completed projects also dealt with the targeted investigation of selected nanomaterials such as nano-silver, nano-cerium dioxide, nano-silicon dioxide, nano-titanium dioxide or nano-aluminium (e.g., nanoGEM, SolNanoTox). Further projects worked towards the establishment of information and participatory platforms (Nanopinion) and the development of visualisation techniques for target group-specific communication (Seeing Nano). In addition, an implementation network for nano and innovative materials was established under the leadership of the BfR as part of the GO FAIR initiative in order to support and raise awareness of the application of the FAIR principles (findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability) in the field of materials safety research.

Current research projects

Food safety

Current research projects in the field of food safety deals with the intake of engineered nanomaterials or mixtures containing nanoparticles via the intestine, with transport and cellular effects, primarily in the intestine and liver. Substances such as food colourings, food supplements, feed, pesticides or nanoplastic polymers of various food-relevant materials are being investigated.

Chemical safety

Current core research areas in the field of chemical safety include the establishment of so-called New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in order to improve the prediction of the toxicological potential of nanomaterials. Another focus is on investigating nanospecific mechanisms of action, primarily through the use of omics methods and their data integration, in order to develop new test and assessment methods based on a deeper mechanistic understanding.

In the area of tattoo inks, the solubilities of various pigments in relevant media (e.g., sweat simulant) are currently being investigated at the BfR in order to support predictions about their distribution in the human body.

Single particle analysis methods are being developed to determine the uptake and distribution of nanomaterials in different tissues.

Adaptation of guidelines and directives

One important activity is the ongoing adaptation of guidelines and guidance documents for the investigation of nanomaterials such as OECD Test Guidelines (TGs) and Guidance Documents (GDs). This takes place within the framework of European and international bodies (e.g., OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, OECD WPMN) and is supported by the activities of various research projects.

Innovative materials and production techniques

More recent BfR research projects are increasingly focussing on more complex nanomaterials and other advanced materials (e.g. HARMLESS). In the consumer-related area, investigations are being carried out into the emission of (nano)particles in additive manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing. This involves characterising released particles in terms of their shape, size and chemical composition. Furthermore, possible health risks of micro- and nanoplastics is increasingly researched (POLYRISK).

Establishment and testing of novel methods (NAMs) for assessment

Establishing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for nanomaterials is an important overarching core research area at the BfR. The EFSA-funded project NAMS4NANO is a selected, current research project in which several BfR departments are involved. Overall researchers of 10 different institutes join forces toward the overarching goal to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities, challenges and remaining uncertainties when using NAMs for the risk assessment of nanomaterials. The project comprises several sub-projects. The first sub-project, led by the BfR, has so far produced an overview article on the NAMs currently available for nanomaterials and a detailed proposal on how NAMs can be used more rapidly for assessments. In a second sub-project, also led by the BfR, selected/ prioritised NAMs are currently being tested in risk assessment case studies. In a third sub-project led by the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), individual methodologies are being further developed.

Public perception of nanotechnology

Due to the increasing presence of "nano-products" in consumers' everyday lives, the question of public perception of nanotechnology remains topical.

The BfR hosted a consumer conference to initiate a participation-based dialogue on the subject of nanotechnology and nanomaterials and to conduct consumer survey following an expert lecture. Among other things, issues to should be addressed primarily, consumer concerns and the regulatory approach to nanotechnology were communicated to decision-makers from science, industry and politics.

Link to the consumer vote

• https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/bfr_verbraucherkonferenz_nanotechnologie.pdf

By involving various social groups, it was possible to pre-structured the field of nanotechnology according to potential risks as provided by means of a Delphi study. Thus, laying the foundation for future BfR risk assessments on nanotechnological applications.

Link to results

•  https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/bfr_delphi_studie_zur_nanotechnologie.pdf
  (in German only)

In order to clarify which factors influence individual risk perception, which social dynamics are important when it comes to nanotechnology and speculating in which directions the formation of public opinion on nanotechnology could develop, representative population surveys were carried out at different points in time. In order to utilise the results directly, the question of which communication measures are particularly suitable for conveying risk-relevant information on nanotechnology in order to better reach large sections of the population was also investigated.

Link to results

• https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/wahrnehmung_der_nanotechnologie_in_der_bevoelkerung.pdf (in German only)
• https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/nanoview-einflussfaktoren-auf-die-wahrnehmung-der-nanotechnologien-und-zielgruppenspezifische-risikokommunikationsstrategien.pdf (in German only)  

In order to analyse the facets and tonality of reporting in the media on the topic of nanotechnology, media content analyses and an analysis of the online discussion were also carried out.

Link to results

•  https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/risikowahrnehmung_beim_thema_nanotechnologie.pdf (in Geman only)
• https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/nanomedia-analyse-der-medienberichterstattung-zum-thema-nanotechnologie-2008-2012.pdf (in German only)

The BfR will continue its social science research projects in this dynamic area in order to establish suitable communication measures for conveying risk-relevant information on nanotechnology.

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