October 2018

Nanotechnology is the branch of science concerned with the manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, i.e., a size so small that it is measured in nanometres (one billionth of a metre), to create materials of any size that have new properties and functions. Nanotechnology development in South Africa is coordinated at a national level by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through its National Nanotechnology Strategy, to ensure that the country remains competitive in this fast-developing field. The strategy aims to ensure that South Africa is ready to use nanotechnology to enhance its global competitiveness and achieve social development and economic growth targets. DST has identified the need for the implementation of this strategy to occur in a manner that addresses the potential health, safety and environmental impact of this technology. This crucial aspect of nanotechnology development will ensure nanotechnology-driven benefits (social and economic) are exploited safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

To address this need for responsible development of nanotechnology, DST has established the Nanotechnology Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Risk Platform, which is led by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH). This platform will help build the capacity to identify the impact of nanoparticles in the environment and mitigate concerns about the fate of nanoparticles in the environment. Professor Mary Gulumian, Head of Toxicology and Biochemistry Section at NIOH, gave us insights into the health, safety and the environmental aspect of nanotechnology.

Firstly, what are nanomaterials?

Nanomaterials can be naturally-occurring and incidental (generated by an unintentional by-product of a process), or intentionally produced (manufactured). Examples of naturally-occurring nanomaterials may include those originating from organisms such as cellulose nanomaterials or from a geologic source such as an erupting volcano. Examples of incidental nanomaterials may include smoke created when using a wood-burning stove, or car diesel exhaust. Intentionally produced nanomaterials are those specifically engineered and are those that are used in nanotechnology.

They are increasingly used in industry and society, so their utility, risks and benefits throughout their life-cycle are important topics for discussion. In spite of their potential commercial benefits, some nanomaterials have been identified as toxic in in vivo and in vitro tests. When assessing toxicity, it is essential to recognise and differentiate ‘free’ and ‘fixed’ nanomaterials as free nanomaterials may have some health effects.

Clearly, our knowledge of the potential toxicity of these nanomaterials to humans and the environment is far from comprehensive. They have been shown to cause irritation, and some have indicated genotoxicity. Examples of nanomaterials that are being investigated concerning toxicity include fullerenes, quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes.

What does the work of Nano Health, Safety and Environment Platform entail?

The DST has emphasised the need for an assessment of the risk associated with nanomaterials that are presently being synthesised in the country. Such an assessment is indeed critical for addressing the potential, unintended consequences of nanotechnology. Consequently, in 2014 the department established a Nanotechnology HSE Risk Research Platform, which is implemented by a consortium of four institutions (NIOH, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, University of Pretoria and the North West University). The purpose of this is to understand the environmental impact of nanomaterials and how to mitigate risk.

How does the HSE Programme safeguard the health, safety and environmental aspects of nanotechnology and the implementation of a code of conduct to ensure its responsible development?

The European Code of Conduct for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies (N&N) research (NANOCODE Programme) was adopted by the European Commission on 7 February 2008. The code of conduct was initiated to ensure responsible, safe, ethical and sustainable nanosciences and nanotechnologies research in Europe for the benefit of society as a whole. Subsequently, the DST has adopted this programme to be implemented in South Africa to minimise the risks associated with nanomaterials and nanotechnology.

The code of conduct also stipulates that given the deficit of knowledge of the environmental and health impacts of nano-objects, European Member States should apply the precautionary principle in order to protect not only researchers, who will be the first in contact with nano-objects, but also professionals, consumers, citizens and the environment in the course of N&N research activities. N&N research organisations should also apply existing good practice in terms of classification and labelling. Moreover, public and private N&N research funding bodies should request that a risk assessment be presented along with each submission of a proposal for funding for N&N research.

What health risk assessment is carried out for regulatory purposes?

The emerging use of nanotechnology in consumer products, industrial applications and in nanomedicine represents a breakthrough technology with great possible economic benefits. However, nanoparticles (NPs) released from engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into the work environment and consumer products may potentially induce adverse health effects both in workers and consumers. Thus, the technology needs to be developed in a sustainable manner, including a proper health risk assessment for the production and use of ENMs. In this risk assessment both particle characterisation, estimation or measurements of exposures and determination of the health hazard linked to the production and use of different ENMs, are required. These risk assessment requirements are:

• Regulations of ENMs in consumer products and the environment.
• Specific regulations of ENMs in occupational settings.
• Occupational exposure limits for ENMs, as none are officially available for ENMs.
• Regulations of ENMs in food and feeding settings

International organisations that are involved in these activities include, among others, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, The International Organization for Standardization and World Health Organisation as well as The Business and Industry Advisory Committee at the OECD to ensure that the design of their legislative proposals as well as the implementation of adopted legislation achieve their goal in a most cost-efficient manner, fostering competitiveness and innovation.

What exciting developments do you look forward to in 2018?

The participation of South Africa in a number of international activities will enable the country to achieve the desired sustainable development of nanotechnologies. Given consumers’ increasing exposure to the flood of nanotechnology products entering the South African market there is a clear need for the public to be informed in order to be able to embrace the promise of nanotechnology while at the same time being fully aware of its potential to cause costly long-term problems to human health and the environment.

Background of Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme (NPEP)

The Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme (NPEP) is an initiative funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF). NPEP aims to promote credible, fact-based understanding of nanotechnology through awareness, dialogue and education to enable informed decision making on nanotechnology innovations to improve the quality of life. For more details and contact information, visit: www.npep.co.za and www.saasta.ac.za, email: info@npep.co.za, https://www.facebook.com/nanotechn/ or  https://twitter.com/npeptweet.