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Nano-particles (Greek: nanos = dwarf) are now being used to create fascinating products with totally new functionalities. These include textiles from which dirt simply runs off or which have an anti-bacterial effect. But as is the case with every new technology, this one must also be safe to use. It is therefore of interest to both manufacturers and users of such high-tech products that nano-particles are harmless for both human beings and the environment over the entire life cycle of the products.
To this end in December 2010 the “TechnoTox” research project was launched with the objective of performing a situation-based risk assessment of textile nano-products. The project is sponsored by the German state of Baden-Württemberg and is based on an initiative of AFBW e.V. (Allianz Faserbasierte Werkstoffe Baden-Württemberg) and is studying in detail the questions surrounding textile nano-technologyThe German Council on the Environment (SRU) published the following statement in 2011 on the use of nano-materials: “To date there has been no scientific proof to the effect that nano-materials, as manufactured and used today, lead to damage to the environment and to health.”However, since an increasing use of nano-functionalised textiles is expected in the future in addition to possible uses of new nano-materials which have not yet been considered in previous risk assessments, there is still a need for meaningful test methods on the effects of nano-materials and their toxicological properties.
Further Information: Rose-Marie RiedlPhone: +49 7143 271-723Fax: +49 7143 271-721E-mail: r.riedl(at)hohenstein.de