Companies
working at the cutting edge of nanotechnology are
being invited to share their knowledge with the Government
through a voluntary reporting scheme.
The scheme is designed to gather information quickly
about the properties of nanomaterials - particles
so small they are measured in billionths of a metre.
Defra today (March 31st) launched a consultation
to discuss with industry and others how the scheme
might work but stressed that it would remain entirely
voluntary.
Defra
Minister Lord Bach said: "There is currently
very little information on the potential risks posed
by nanoscale materials and we want to work with firms
who are involved with nanotechnologies in order to
better understand the uncertainties in this developing
area.
"Of
course we're not asking companies to give away
any trade secrets but there will be lots of data
they can share which will improve the general understanding
of nanoparticles and how they behave. This will help
us at Defra to pinpoint exactly where more research
would be useful and to assess the latest issues thrown
up by commercial uses of nanotechnology.
"We
are confident that we can work effectively with
industry on this and I look forward to hearing
their thoughts on the best way to do so."
Professor
Hugh Clare, Director of the Micro and Nanotechnology
Network, the organisation which supports industries
working in the field, said: "The proposed
Defra voluntary reporting scheme for engineered nanoscale
materials is a very important step forward to ensure
that the manufacture and handling of free nano-particulates
is carried out in a safe manner. The UK will collaborate
with its international partners to pool knowledge."
Commercial products which use nanoparticles include
some sunscreens, paints, diesel fuel additives and
clothing.
The consultation will run until 23rd June. The consultation
document is available on Defra's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/nanotech/index.htm
Notes
1 Nanotechnology refers to the application of materials
at atomic, molecular and macromolecular scale where
properties differ from those found in the same material
in gross form. A nanometre is one thousand millionth
of a metre. A human hair is 80,000nm wide, a red
blood cell 7,000nm wide and a water molecule 0.3nm
wide.
2
In November 2005 the Government's Nanotechnology
Research Co-Ordination Group outlined the broad
areas where more research into the potential risk
of nanoparticles was needed. The group's report, "Characterising the
risks posed by engineered nanoparticles: a first
UK Government research report" is available on the
Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/nanotech/index.htm
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
http://www.defra.gov.uk
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17 Smith Square
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