Spotlight October 2021: Nanopesticides – a proposal for a risk assessment framework

Home > Spotlight October 2021: Nanopesticides – a proposal for a risk assessment framework

The application of so-called “nanopesticides” (see also cross-sectional text Nanomaterials in plant protection products) is said to have two basic advantages: a smaller amount of pesticide is needed for the same agricultural area and the efficacy is improved. This is necessary to grow enough food for a still growing world population. However, this could also entail increased risks for humans and the environment if, for example, these substances could be absorbed significantly better by crops, thus increasing their concentration in food, and/or that they could be absorbed better by humans or livestock, thus contributing to increased body burden.

To this end, an international group of scientists has considered and established a tiered approach to assess the risks to human health (Kah et al., 2021). Taking into account existing guidance documents and regulations (e.g., OECD guidelines), a strategy was developed on how a sustainable use of new nanopesticides could be enabled while considering safety-related issues. Two general principles were distinguished: first, the possibility of using nanoscale packages to deliver the active ingredients (so-called “nanocarriers”), and second, nanometer-sized active agent, such as metals or metal oxides that deliver active ions (e.g., silver or copper), with the nanoparticles usually delivered by protective sheaths made of polymers. For both variants, the critical steps for potential human exposure were identified (active ingredient preparation, field application, and postharvest exposure through food ingestion) and ways to investigate possible toxic effects that may be triggered.

The model shown here consists of 6 steps necessary to holistically describe nanopesticides and their health effects. In addition, the group further highlights important knowledge gaps that should be addressed in the near future.

 

Original publication:

Kah, M., Johnston, L.J., Kookana, R.S., Bruce, W., Haase, A., Ritz, V., Dinglasan, J., Doak, S., Garelick, H., and Gubala, V. (2021). Comprehensive framework for human health risk assessment of nanopesticides. Nat Nanotechnol 16, 955-964

 

Spotlight October 2021: Nanopesticides – a proposal for a risk assessment framework

Weitere Spotlights


Spotlight December 2021: Silica nanoparticles improve plant disease resistance

Spotlight December 2021: Silica nanoparticles improve plant disease resistance

The resistance of plants to various pathogens is often increased in agriculture with various chemicals (“fertilizers”). A new direction is being taken with the use of nanoparticles. These can be sprayed on the plants. In the present study, the model plant Arabidopsis was used to investigate whether silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2) can increase resistance to […]

Read more

Spotlight March 2021: Is Nanotechnology the Swiss Army Knife against Future Pandemics?

Spotlight March 2021: Is Nanotechnology the Swiss Army Knife against Future Pandemics?

The COVID 19 outbreak has led to a fundamental rethinking of existing approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods. The need for better and more efficient concepts is global and urgent. Nanotechnology has long been at the forefront of innovation and has led to advances in many different disciplines. Could this interdisciplinary field help develop […]

Read more

Spotlight October 2020: Nanosafety – Topic of the Future

Spotlight October 2020: Nanosafety – Topic of the Future

Research on nanosafety is a driver of innovation as the spotlight in July has demonstrated. But furthermore, this research field is built on routine as well if researchers look for the “needle in the haystack”. In many areas the safety research initiates the development of new methods, e.g. for the determination of nanoparticles within exposed organisms via […]

Read more

Spotlight October 2023: Improved hydrogen production through novel catalyst made of three metals

Spotlight October 2023: Improved hydrogen production through novel catalyst made of three metals

Hydrogen is one of the important energy carriers of the future when it comes to climate-relevant energy supply. For example, surplus electricity from wind turbines or solar plants can be converted into hydrogen, allowing the otherwise unused energy to be stored for longer periods. This hydrogen can be used to power trucks and buses for […]

Read more

Skip to content