Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Risk Analysis Publishes Non-Animal Strategy to Assess Nanomaterials

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Abstract:
Non-animal methods can be used to evaluate the health and environmental effects of nanomaterials, according to an article that appears today in Risk Analysis.

Risk Analysis Publishes Non-Animal Strategy to Assess Nanomaterials

Washington, DC | Posted on February 24th, 2016

The article was collaboration between the PETA International Science Consortium Ltd., Vireo Advisors, LLC, NeutralScience, L3C, and an independent consultant.

Nanomaterials are increasingly being used in a variety of consumer products ranging from food additives to packaging to pharmaceuticals, and as a result, there has been a growing need for effective strategies to understand and characterize their potential hazards. Due to the number of nanomaterials in need of assessment and the ethical and scientific concerns associated with animal experiments, there has been an increase in the development and use of non-animal testing approaches, which can be conducted more quickly and are more human-relevant.

The multi-stage framework presented in the paper aims to increase the relevance of non-animal approaches for nanomaterial risk assessment by considering real-life exposure scenarios, life cycle changes in nanomaterials, and the use of systems that represent the likely route of exposure.

According to Dr. Monita Sharma, lead author and nanotoxicology expert at PETA's Science Consortium, "We hope that risk assessors and researchers will embrace this framework which relies on non-animal methods to evaluate the safety of nanomaterials." Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin added, “We could not be more pleased with the outcomes of this interdisciplinary effort to advance the acceptance of alternative testing strategies in risk analysis.”

The article will be a part of a special series that will include manuscripts on the topics of human health, ecological, and exposure considerations for using non-animal methods for testing nanomaterials. The publications were generated following a workshop convened in 2014 by the Society for Risk Analysis and co-sponsored by PETA's Science Consortium, which focused on evaluating alternative testing strategies for risk assessment and management of nanomaterials.

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About Society for Risk Analysis
The SRA is an international society that provides an open forum for those who are interested in risk analysis. SRA includes numerous regional organizations worldwide and many specialty groups for members to interact with risk analysts in their disciplines. The Emerging Nanoscale Materials Specialty Group (ENMSG) organized this work as part of an on-going effort to advance risk analysis of nanomaterials.

About the PETA International Science Consortium Ltd.

The PETA International Science Consortium was established in 2012 to coordinate the scientific and regulatory expertise of its members – PETA UK, PETA US, PETA France, PETA Germany, PETA India, PETA Netherlands, PETA Asia, and PETA Australia. The Science Consortium works to accelerate and fund the development, validation, and global implementation of alternatives to testing on animals. PISCLTD.org.uk

About Vireo Advisors, LLC

Vireo Advisors collaborates with private and public organizations to develop strategies for enabling safer and more sustainable emerging technologies to reach the market, and provides expertise in assessing, managing, and communicating about the potential risks of emerging materials. They design and lead innovative technology, market and risk assessments, and assist developers of new technologies by evaluating technology performance, identifying market requirements and opportunities, and generating studies to meet stakeholder requirements. vireoadvisors.com/

About NeutralScience, L3C

NeutralScience seeks to build collaborative frameworks for the advancement of science in support of improvement in public health. www.neutralscience.org

About Carolyn Cairns (Independent Consultant)

Carolyn Cairns provides expert research and analytical advisory services in product safety, environmental health and sustainability science, and technical policy for informed decisions.

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Contacts:
Tasgola Bruner
404-907-4172

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