>
Spotlight August 2020: The nanoGRAVUR Grouping approach
In August, we would like to present a paper of the German BMBF project nanoGRAVUR. nanoGRAVUR dealt from 2015-2018 with the grouping of nanostructured materials with regard to occupational safety, consumer and environmental protection and risk mitigation. The approach is now described by the project partners in this paper.
Due to the variety of synthetic nanomaterials and the numerous modifications (differences in size, shape, chemical composition and surface functionalization), the effort required to investigate effects and behaviour within the framework of regulatory requirements is enormous. Given the variability of possible effects, it is almost impossible to examine the potential risk for each nanomaterial on a case-by-case basis. Grouping or analogy now aims to allow a reliable prediction of hazards from nanomaterials of a group without additional testing by identifying certain properties or parameters.
For each of the three different areas of occupational, consumer and environmental safety, different groups may emerge, but they are based on a harmonised set of material properties with specific analytical methods, descriptors and areas. Proof of concept is provided in this publication by quantitative data on 34 case studies.
Original Publication:
Wohlleben, W, Hellack, B, Nickel, C, Herrchen, M, Hund-Rinke, K, Kettler, K, Riebeling, C, Haase, A, Funk, B, Kühnel, D, Göhler, D, Stintz, M, Schumacher, C, Wiemann, M, Keller, J, Landsiedel, R, Broßell, D, Pitzko, S, Kuhlbusch,T (2019), The nanoGRAVUR framework to group (nano)materials for their occupational, consumer, environmental risks based on a harmonized set of material properties, applied to 34 case studies. DOI 10.1039/c9nr03306h
Weitere Spotlights
Spotlight July: Plastic Pollution and the Urgent Need for Comprehensive Action
Plastic pollution has become a significant threat to the oceans, biodiversity, and ecosystems worldwide. Despite efforts to reduce plastic consumption, escalating plastic production continues to increase the magnitude of plastic pollution in the environment. In response to this crisis, the UN-Environmental Assembly (Link) adopted a resolution in March 2022 to develop a legally binding treaty […]
Read moreSpotlight February 2023: New sustainable and promising method to give cotton textiles an antiviral and antibacterial finish
Textiles have been the subject of research into functionalization for many years, especially also to repel bacteria and viruses. Since the development of nanotechnological processes, there have been many attempts to incorporate UV protection with nano-titanium dioxide, or to provide textiles with anti-bacterial properties with nanosilver (see cross-sectional text “Nanoparticles in Textiles”). But nanosilver has […]
Read moreSpotlight August 2023: From principles to reality. FAIR implementation in the nanosafety community
In the August 2023 Spotlight, we present a paper that addresses the implementation of FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) Data in nanosafety research. The authors introduce the new AdvancedNano GO FAIR Implementation Network (see also https://www.go-fair.org/implementation-networks/overview/advancednano/) established as part of the GO FAIR initiative. The paper highlights the AdvancedNano GO FAIR Implementation Network’s support […]
Read moreSpotlight January 2022: Methods, models, mechanisms and metadata
For the new year, we are presenting no “classic” paper here, but would like to point out an editorial: Methods, Models, Mechanisms and Metadata: Introduction to the Nanotoxicology Collection at F1000 Research. This editorial introduces the F1000Research Nanotoxicology Collection, where best practices can be collected in the form of original research reports, including no-effect studies, […]
Read more


