95 Identifying Physicochemical Properties of Nanomaterials as Potential Drivers of oral Hazard and Their Modulation by safe and Sustainable-by-Design Strategies

Abstract

Abstract Throughout their whole life cycle from production to waste disposal, nanomaterials (NMs) and nano-enabled products (NEPs) are in contact with humans by different exposure routes and may induce adverse health effects. After oral exposure they may give rise to local or even systemic toxic effects associated to their dissolution behaviour, intestinal absorption or by being trapped into the gastrointestinal barrier Safe and sustainable-by-design (SSbD) interventions to reduce or mitigate NM/NEP risks along their life cycle have been suggested in the last years. However, no clear physico-chemical (PC) properties modulating the hazard by the oral route have been identified. Based on published practical examples of successful SSbD strategies, key PC properties determining the technical function of the NM in the NEP as well as those modified by the SSbD intervention are identified. In addition, oral IATAs from the GRACIOUS project are used to identify which PC properties could be relevant to determine the fate of NMs/NEPs after oral exposure. A further literature search on the specific NM/NEP may help to unravel the relationships among key PC properties and associated mechanisms of hazards. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862419.