Nanotechnology as a new technology is of special interest for the public, the politics and industry. Potential toxicological and ecotoxicological risks linked to this expanding technology cannot be assessed currently. Extensive research and development activities have to follow up in various scientific disciplines. There are needs to map and structure the different research activities and to set priorities. Furthermore it is important to promote research activities that lead to results which are appropriate to perform a comprehensive risk assessment framework and adequate to conclude on regulatory activities (classification, limit values, handling recommendations).

Initiated and coordinated by BAuA (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), UBA (Federal Environment Agency), BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) and BAuA have developed a joint research strategy, that addresses especially health and environmental risks of engineered nanoparticles. The strategy has been finalised in December 2007.

In addition, in spring 2006 the German Chemical Industry Association (Verband der Chemischen Industrie/VCI) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin/BAuA) conducted, among VCI member companies, a joint survey on occupational health and safety in the handling and use of nanomaterials. The purpose of the survey was to obtain an overview of occupational health and safety methods currently applied in the chemical industry in activities involving nanomaterials. The results of the survey have been published in October 2007 (Gefahrstoffe - Reinhaltung der Luft 10/2007, pp. 419-424, in German) and April 2008 (in English).

A further aim was to develop, on the basis of the survey results, a "Guidance for handling and use of nanomaterials at the workplace" - with recommendations and operating instructions for the handling of nanomaterials. The guidance has been finalised in August 2007.

In spring 2011 the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) together with the German Chemical Industry Association (Verband der Chemischen Industrie/VCI), the Federation of German Industry (BDI) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) started a second survey on occupational health and safety in the handling and use of nanomaterials. Interested companies and institutions were to participate until the end of July 2011. Currently the evaluation takes place. We will inform you on this page as soon as the results of the questionnaire are available.

In autumn 2011 a working group consisting of the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology e.V. (IUTA), the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Raw Materials and Chemical Industry (BG RCI), the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the DGUV (IFA), the Technical University Dresden (TUD) and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) published the document "Tiered Approach to an Exposure Measurement and Assessment of Nanoscale Aerosols Released from Engineered Nanomaterials in Workplace Operations".

The reports "Relevance of in vitro-methods for the evaluation of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of nanomaterials, fine dust and fibers" (F 2043), "Dispersion and retention of dusts consisting of ultrafine primary particles in lungs" (F 2133), "Genotoxic mode of action of fine and ultrafine dusts in lungs" (F 2135) have been published in autumn 2011.