EU study tackles nanotoxicology dilemma - Cordis, EU
How nanoparticle toxicity (i.e. nanotoxicology) affects the health and environment of Europeans is a concern that many researchers are currently investigating. Rising to the challenge is the NHECD ('Nano health-environment commented database') project, funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of EUR 1.45 million. The project partners are seeking to create a critical and commented database on the health, safety and environmental impact of nanoparticles. Various user groups, such as industry and public institutions, will be able to access, locate and retrieve information relevant to their needs.

Nanotechnology: the things we don't know - NanoWerk, USA
There still is a lot we don't know yet about the environmental, health and safety impact of nanomaterials, but at least scientists are making progress in identifying the gaps – the 'known unknowns' as they call it. Serious knowledge gaps pervade nearly all areas of basic nanotechnology EHS knowledge. Following areas in particular have been highly cited as important knowledge gaps within the field:
- the lack of reference materials and standardization
- environmental fate and behavior
- human and environmental toxicity
- test methods to assess, particularly, the effects, and
- commercial or industrial-related aspects (e.g. life cycle assessments).

Industry critics give nanotechnology sunscreens the thumbs up - 2020 Science, USA
he Environmental Working Group (EWG) – a US-based non-profit organization committed to using public information to protect public health and the environment – has just released what is probably the most comprehensive evaluation to date of the safety and effectiveness of using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens.  Given what still isn’t known, EWG cautioned against the use of nanoparticles in cosmetics at the moment, where they are not being used to protect the wearer’s health. But when it comes to protecting the skin the organization was clear – nanoparticle-based sunscreens.