BASF Joins NanoGEM Project

LUDWIGSHAFEN, GermanyBASF has joined the NanoGEM (Nanostructured materialsHealth, Exposure and Material Properties) research project that will investigate absorption and distribution of nanoparticles in the human body as a function of their size, structure and surface properties. The project is the first of its kind to evaluate industrially relevant nanoparticles and nanomaterials in processed products.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) initiated project is taking place with the involvement of 19 research institutions and companies. The project will receive approximately 4.9 million in BMBF funding over the next three years, with industry to contribute around another 1.5 million. The project is headed by the Duisburg-based Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA).

NanoGEM is intended in this manner to make an important contribution to the systematic assessment of risk in association with nanomaterial use.

Safety research is basically about finding out which methods are genuinely suitable for assessing the potential risks of nanomaterials," said Dr. Robert Landsiedel, head of nanotoxicology research at BASF.