Nanotechnology is finding increased application in today's society and is being hailed as the next industrial revolution. Companies around the world are beginning to mass-produce nanoparticles (particles less than 100 nm in size) for use in everything from sunscreens to soil reclamation. The production of anthropogenically-derived nanoparticles will inevitably result in the introduction of these materials to the environment. However, despite rapid advances in nanotechnology, knowledge of the potential risks of nanoparticles to human health and the environment is limited. There is a concern that "size matters" with respect to toxicity, irrespective of the chemical composition. There are fears that materials that are biologically inert in bulk tend to become harmful in ultrafine particle form. Analogies have been drawn, for example, on the similarity of the structure of carbon nanotubes to asbestos fibres, whose detrimental effects on human health are well documented. There is a need to encourage greater understanding of the short and long term implications of nanotechnology for health and the environment. The primary aim of this CA is to prevent knowledge of the health and environmental implications of nanoparticles from lagging behind the technological advances. In order to do this, IMPART will foster communication links between numbers of regional, national and international initiatives in order to reduce duplication of effort, pool expertise and facilitate co-operation between networks. This will result in an improvement in the understanding of the potential impact of nanoparticles on human health and the environment. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES Nanoparticles, usually defined as particles less than 100 nm in size, have been produced naturally throughout evolution. Human and environmental exposure to nanoparticles from combustion, diesel exhaust, coal mines, etc., has therefore been occurring for many years. However, rapid advances in nanotechnology have resulted in an increase in the production of manmade nanoparticles for numerous applications. Concerns have been raised over the effects these anthropogenically-derived substances might have on human health and the environment. There is a general concern that the technology is advancing before these questions have been answered and some groups are calling for a moratorium on nanotechnology until its potential impacts can be determined. Whilst most consider a moratorium an unnecessarily extreme response, they do except that there are questions that need to be answered. With this in mind, a number of initiatives and networks are being formed across Europe (and worldwide) that attempts to address these issues. The primary aim of this proposal is to prevent knowledge of the health and environmental implications of nanoparticles from lagging behind the technological advances. In order to do this, IMPART will foster communication links between a number of regional, national and international initiatives in order to reduce duplication of effort, pool expertise and facilitate co-operation between networks. This will result in an improvement in the understanding of the potential impact of nanoparticles on human health and the environment. The specific scientific and technological objectives of the IMPART co-ordination action are: To co-ordinate the efforts of regional, national and international initiatives represented in the consortium (both full members and those invited to join as associate members) and to formulate joint strategies for the future (WP2) To make recommendations to major funding bodies for the future research direction in the field (WP2.;D27; Month 36) To carry out a review of the latest scientific and technological developments related to the risks of nanoparticle exposure on human health and the environment (WP3; D8 (Draft); Month 17; Updates D12, D19, D23; Months 20, 28, 35) To produce guidelines and recommendations for the institution of future nanoparticle standards and exposure limits (WP3; D29; Month 36) To disseminate the project's results through a specialised website and knowledge transfer workshops (WP4; D16, D21; Months 24, 30) To create and enhance good communication and permanent links between the partners (WP1) To achieve these scientific and technological objectives, a comprehensive work plan has been constructed. Table 2.1 (page 5) shows how the objectives have been quantified and form the criteria for measuring the success and progress of the project. The project will bring together research institutes, universities, toxicologists, environmental specialists, manufacturers and ethicists in order to elucidate the state of the art, reduce duplication of effort and improve the current level of understanding of the impact of nanoparticles on health and the environment. This will be achieved by forming communication links between existing initiatives and will make a significant contribution towards the development of the European Research Area. A number of nanoparticle networks and initiatives are represented in the consortium (see Appendix B) and more will be invited to join as Associate Members as they are identified during the activities of work package 2. This will ensure that IMPART has as wide an influence as possible. The principal outputs (in order of delivery) of this co-ordination action will be: Annual co-ordination seminars, to discuss the work of initiatives represented in the consortium (both full members and those invited to participate as associate members); to ensure that maximum benefit is achieved from these initiatives and to improve their complementarity An advanced web site for dissemination of results from this and related projects Annual expert group meetings, to stimulate discussion on 'hot topics' in the field and to encourage cross-fertilisation of ideas A review document of initiatives' activities, highlighting areas of similar activity A database of initiatives and their activities, to be made available through the project website An in-depth risk report, to summarise the state of the art relating to the risks of nanoparticle exposure to human health and the environment, to be updated during the project Two knowledge transfer workshops to encourage rapid uptake of the project's findings A guidance booklet on reducing the negative impact of nanoparticles for circulation to interested stakeholders These outputs will lead to the following benefits: Better co-ordination of initiatives in the field, leading to less duplication of effort and more rapid exploitation Increased awareness of the risks associated with exposure to nanoparticles amongst manufacturers, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers through newsletter advertising, the project web site, and by direct dissemination Improved guidelines and recommendations relating to nanoparticle exposure for nanoparticle producers and policymakers Improvement in the understanding of the effects of nanoparticles on human health and the environment, thereby helping to prevent this important area from lagging behind the technological advances of nanotechnology