title: A critical appraisal of existing concepts for the grouping of nanomaterials.
abstract: The grouping of substances serves to streamline testing for regulatory purposes. General grouping approaches for chemicals have been implemented in, e.g., the EU chemicals regulation. While specific regulatory frameworks for the grouping of nanomaterials are unavailable, this topic is addressed in different publications, and preliminary guidance is provided in the context of substance-related legislation or the occupational setting. The European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals Task Force on the Grouping of Nanomaterials reviewed available concepts for the grouping of nanomaterials for human health risk assessment. In their broad conceptual design, the evaluated approaches are consistent or complement each other. All go beyond the determination of mere structure-activity relationships and are founded on different aspects of the nanomaterial life cycle. These include the NM's material properties and biophysical interactions, specific types of use and exposure, uptake and kinetics, and possible early and apical biological effects. None of the evaluated grouping concepts fully take into account all of these aspects. Subsequent work of the Task Force will aim at combining the available concepts into a comprehensive 'multiple perspective' framework for the grouping of nanomaterials that will address all of the mentioned aspects of their life cycles.
authors.affiliation: AkzoNobel, Technology and Engineering, Arnhem, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Josje H E
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Arts
authors.affiliation: Shell Health, Shell International B.V., The Hague, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mackenzie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.affiliation: Afton Chemical, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Athena M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Keene
authors.affiliation: Clariant Produkte GmbH, Sulzbach, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kreiling
authors.affiliation: Shell Health, Shell Oil Company, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Delina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.affiliation: Evonik Degussa GmbH, Hanau, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.affiliation: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.affiliation: Toxminds BVBA, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Petry
authors.affiliation: Scientific Consultancy - Animal Welfare, Neubiberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ursula G
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.affiliation: DuPont Haskell Global Centers For HES, Newark, DE, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Warheit
authors.affiliation: BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiench
authors.affiliation: BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Electronic address: robert.landsiedel@basf.com.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landsiedel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
keywords: Biokinetics; Characterization; Exposure assessment; Grouping of substances; Hazard assessment; Nanomaterials; Physico-chemical characterization; REACH; Risk assessment; Toxic Substances Control Act