Safe by design (SbD) and nanotechnology: a much-discussed topic with a prudence?

Safe-by-Design (SbD) has been put forward as a concept to assure that only safe nanomaterials will reach the market and that safety aspects have already been considered in a very early stage of the innovation process. In practice, several laboratory test have been proposed to screen newly developed nanomaterials and nano-enabled products to assess their hazardous nature. These tests need to have sufficient predictive power for possible adverse effects on human health, not only due to acute (peak) exposures, but also for long-term (low dose) exposures as these materials may accumulate over time in organs and tissues.

Automated summary

Safe-by-Design (SbD) concept aims to ensure that only safe nanomaterials enter the market with safety aspects considered early in the innovation process. Laboratory tests are proposed to screen newly developed nanomaterials for hazardous nature, predicting both acute and long-term adverse effects on human health.