Challenges of implementing nano-specific safety and safe-by-design principles in academia

Safe-by-design is an essential component for creating awareness of the potential novel risks associated with the introduction of sophisticated nanomaterials (NMs) with novel properties. SbD is also a useful tool for meeting EU policy ambitions such as the European Green Deal which includes circular economy and moving towards a zero pollution (pollution-free) environment. Unidentified risks are a growing concern with the rapid and exponential advances of nanotechnology innovation, and the increase in fundamental research on NMs and their potential applications. Therefore, addressing nano-specific safety issues early in the innovation process is vital for reducing the uncertainties of novel NMs. The challenge is that many innovators and material scientists are not toxicologist and are not aware on how to assess the safety of their innovations and novel materials. Safe-by-design is a concept that aims at reducing uncertainties and risks for humans and the environment, starting at an early phase of the innovation process and covering the whole innovation value chain, including research. This perspective tries to get a better understanding on the role of safe-by-design within engineered nanomaterial research to create awareness on the importance on assessing the safety early in research. A method was developed that integrates SbD with a set of questions to aid material scientists assess the safety of their materials (nano-specific safety aspects) and Risk Analysis and Technology Assessment (RATA). Here we present the results of a workshop for material scientists (PhD students) with limited toxicology knowledge at the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) with the main goals to create awareness with regard to basic NM safety and to explore the possibilities for applying safe-by-design principles in academia. The approach presented here can be applied by researchers and innovators to assess the safety of NMs at an early stage of the innovation process, and this work is framed in the context of Responsible Research and Innovation using RATA