Nanomaterials in waste

Nanotechnologies and nanomaterials are having a large and growing impact on society. For example, all kinds of nanomaterial-containing consumer products are being launched onto the market, including electronics and personal care products. In 2006, the Health Council of the Netherlands published an advisory report entitled “Health significance of nanotechnologies”, in which it called for a policy based on the precautionary principle. The Dutch government adopted this report’s recommendations in its 2006 Government Vision on Nanotechnology. Building on that previous advisory report, the Health Council is using this horizonscanning report to raise awareness of the issue of nanomaterials in waste. It was drafted by the Health and Environment Surveillance Committee, which is tasked with alerting the authorities to important links between environmental factors and human health.

Committee

• Professor W.F. Passchier, Emeritus Professor of Risk Analysis, Maastricht University, chairman
• Professor M. van den Berg, Professor of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University
• Professor J.W. Erisman, Professor of Integrated Nitrogen Issues, VU University, Amsterdam, and Unit Manager of Biomass, Coal & Environmental Research, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, Petten
• P.J. van den Hazel, Physician, Specialist in Environmental Medicine, Public Health Service Central Gelderland, Arnhem
• Professor R. Leemans, Professor of Environmental Systems Analysis, Wageningen University and Research Centre
• Professor E. Lebret, Professor of Environmental Health Impact Assessment, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University
• Dr. A.J.A.M. Sips, Toxicologist, Specialist in Pharmacokinetics and Toxicokinetics, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, advisor
• Dr. J.P. van der Sluijs, Researcher in Science, Technology and Society, Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University
• Professor D.R.M. Timmermans, Professor of Risk Communication and Patient Decision Making, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Dr. P.W. van Vliet, Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, scientific secretary