Nanotechnology is a booming business. Industry and governments are investing heavily in the development of nanomaterials and applications. Equally, great efforts are being made into understanding their environmental, health and safety (EHS) aspects. Over the last decade, the latter has resulted in thousands of publications on nano-bio interaction. Yet it has not led to a common understanding on how to test and assess the effects and risks of nanomaterials on human health and the environment. Yes, we know that nano-particles can affect biological systems and yes, we are gaining understanding of the mechanisms at play. This is good news. The bad news is, the practical relevance of the tests applied is questionable. For example: what is the predictive value of testing pristine nanomaterials for application of this material in paint? What is the reliability and reproducibility of the generated data?
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