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Paris, May 23, 2007

Working group set up on the effects of nanoparticles and nanomaterials on health and the environment

The Observatory for Micro and Nano Technologies (1) (OMNT), based at the Minatec (2) center in the immediately vicinity of the "Nanosciences at the limits of nanoelectronics" RTRA (3), has announced the setting up of a multidisciplinary working group responsible for providing a scientific watch on the effects of nanoparticles and nanomaterials on health and the environment. The aim is to enable non-specialists to keep up-to-date with developments in this field through summary reports objectively presenting key results from around the world.

This multidisciplinary group, which will meet three times a year, consists of 14 experts from various public research bodies: CNRS, Universities, INERIS, CEA, INRS, INSERM, IRSN, etc. The disciplines they represent will cover not only the results of nanotoxicology studies, but also other fields concerned by the effects of nanoparticles: health, detection and characterization of nanoparticles, evaluation of doses and sources of exposure, means of protection and prevention, regulations and standardization, the life cycle of nanoparticles and evaluating risks.

It should ultimately collaborate with similar groups at European level currently being set up under the 7th European Framework Program for Research & Development, thereby increasing the quality of its analyses.

 

This watch project launched by the OMNT will enable all those concerned by the micro and nano technologies to add to their knowledge in this field. Researchers, research managers in nanosciences and nanotechnologies, industrial manufacturers and users of nanoparticles and nanomaterials, public authorities, investors in innovation and prevention professionals can therefore conduct their business as informed professionals.

Notes:

(1) The OMNT is a joint service unit of CEA and CNRS, responsible within France for providing a scientific and technological watch in the micro and nano technologies. To do this, it relies on a network of more than 200 French and European scientists.
(2) Launched at the initiative of CEA-Léti and INP-Grenoble, Minatec is Europe's leading center for micro and nanotechnologies. Located in Grenoble on an 8-hectare site, Minatec consists of an R&D platform of 19,000 sq.m. dedicated to advanced components and communicating devices and it has a staff of nearly 4000 academic and industrial researchers.
(3) The "Research Partnership" Program Act of April 18, 2006 introduced the concept of the advanced research subject network (RTRA). The scientific community in Grenoble at CEA, CNRS, INPG and UJF put together the selected "Nanosciences at the limits of nanoelectronics" RTRA, as well as twelve others spread over the whole country. The "Nanosciences at the limits of nanoelectronics" RTRA brings together a critical mass of more than 600 very high level researchers around a hard core of 29 research units, united around a shared strategic approach to a common scientific goal.

Contact information:

Contacts presse
CNRS
Priscilla Dacher
T 01 44 96 46 06
priscilla.dacher@cnrs-dir.fr

CEA
Delphine Nicolas
T 01 64 50 14 88
delphine.nicolas@cea.fr

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