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OECD appeals for urgent research into risks from nanomaterials in household waste

Xinhua, February 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Organization for the Economic and Cooperation Development (OECD) said in a new report published Monday that urgent research was needed to assess the possible risks to human health and ecosystems from the ever-increasing amounts of engineered nanomaterials going into household waste and ending up in the environment.

According to OECD, existing research suggests the distinctive properties of nanomaterials, which can more easily penetrate skin and cells than larger compounds, may carry health and environmental risks including cancer causing properties in lungs, toxic effects to the nervous system and antibacterial properties that could harm ecosystems.

Despite this, engineered nanomaterials are entering landfill sites, incinerators, and wastewater treatment facilities that are not designed to filter out particles as tiny as a millionth of a millimeter in size, OECD said, adding that waste containing engineered nanomaterials is disposed of along with conventional waste, with no special precautions or treatment.

OECD called for research into the type and amount of nanomaterials entering waste streams, what happens to it inside treatment facilities and the potential impacts of residual waste containing nanomaterials, and recommended greater safety measures for workers at recycling facilities.

"Nanomaterials are revolutionizing everyday products, with benefits to society, but there are many unanswered questions about the risks some may pose to our health and the environment," said OECD environment director Simon Upton, "We urgently need a better understanding of these risks so we can assess whether our waste treatment systems should be adapted to contain them."

Engineered nanomaterials are valued for the novel properties caused by their near-atomic size. The number of products containing them leapt fivefold from 2006 to 2011 as manufacturers used them to improve performance in more than 1,300 products from car tires and tennis rackets to smartphone batteries, deodorant and hair conditioner. Endtiem