Tag Archives: ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies

New ISO report: characterizing nanomaterials before studying possible toxicological effects

It makes sense to characterize materials before testing them for possible toxicological effects since you want to ensure scientists around the world know they can compare their results with some confidence.  According to the International Standardization Organization (ISO) website, May 8, 2012 is the publication date for a technical report, which establishes standards for nanomaterials (specifically, nano-objects) testing: ISO/TR 13014:2012; Nanotechnologies – Guidance on physico-chemical characterization of engineered nanoscale materials for toxicologic assessment.

The May 30, 2012 news item on Nanowerk provides more details about this new report,

ISO TR 13014:2012, Nanotechnologies – Guidance on physicochemical characterization of engineered nanoscale materials for toxicologic assessment, is intended to assist health scientists and experts to understand, plan, identify, and address relevant physicochemical characteristics of nano-objects before conducting toxicological tests on them.

ISO TR 13014:2012 was prepared by ISO TC 229, Nanotechnologies, Working Group (WG) 3, Health, Safety and Environment, under the project leadership of Dr. Richard Pleus of the United States. This group is U.S.-led, operating under the leadership of Dr. Laurie Locascio of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Dr. Vladimir Murashov of the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) serves as the WG 3 chair for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO TC 229, which is accredited and administered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

“By understanding the chemical and physical characteristics of nano-objects, we are working to decrease toxicity of materials and promote the development of safer alternatives,” said Dr. Pleus. “The work done in this document has a fundamental importance in toxicology, as it tells scientists the material being tested needs to be understood: What does it look like? What is it made of? How does it interact with the surrounding environment?”

You can find out more about ANSI and its nanotechnology efforts here.  From ANSI’s Technology Advisory Group webpage for nanotechnologies,

Specific tasks include developing standards for: terminology and nomenclature; metrology and instrumentation, including specifications for reference materials; test methodologies; modelling and simulations; and science-based health, safety, and environmental practices.

ANSI administers the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies. The Scope of the U.S. TAG mirrors the above scope of ISO/TC 229.

Membership on the ANSI-Accredited U.S. TAG is open to all materially affected U.S. parties interested in the coordination and development of International Standards related to nanotechnology