What we know about (bio)degradation and safety by design of nanomaterials

Safer Chemicals Podcast

In this episode we focus on nanomaterials, and more specifically, on how they persist in the environment and how their safety should be considered already when the products are being designed.

Nanomaterials have different properties than larger materials. Producing them opens new opportunities in many fields - but they may also have different effects on our health and the environment than larger forms.

The European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials, also known as EUON, recently concluded a study looking at what tools are available for assessing the biodegradation of nanomaterials, and how these can be used for regulatory processes.

The study also looked at the 'Safe by design' concept for nanomaterials, and if and how safety considerations are introduced when designing and developing products and processes.

You will hear three experts discussing the topic:

Dr Richard Cross, an Ecotoxicologist from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology who is an expert on biodegradation. He has a particular interest in the fate and behaviours of engineered nanomaterials, microplastics and nanoplastics and how this relates to their biological interactions.

Dr Socorro Vázquez-Campos who is the lead of the Human and Environmental Health & Safety Group at LEITAT Technological Centre in Barcelona. She leads an EU project that aims to develop a platform to guide the Safe by Design concept for nanomaterials.

Virginia Rodriguez Unamuno, a Scientific Officer from the European Chemicals Agency who will talk us through the study and its findings.