Publication Abstract

Nanotechnology is a rapidly-developing field, attracting significant investment from industry and governments. Nanomaterials (NMs) used in applications are typically described as nanoparticles (NPs) or nanotubes (NTs). Their small size causes physico-chemical properties that differ from those of other solid materials; hence their environmental effects are unknown. To ensure regulatory compliance with relevant legislative regimes it is necessary to understand the toxicity, fate, and environmental effects of nanomaterials prior to release into the environment. The range and variety of nanomaterials available is likely to require a specific risk assessment for each new compound with associated fit for purpose testing procedures. Here we report on the preliminary findings of an on going study investigating the aquatic toxicity of cadmium and silver NPs. We describe a tiered toxicity testing procedure, which comprises an initial screen for cellular toxicity using cultured cells, followed by standardised (OECD) and developmental whole organism ecotoxicology tests using the freshwater Crustacean Daphnia magna and the estuarine fish stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus).