A review of the issues and treatment options for wastewater from shale gas extraction by hydraulic fracturing

Comparative assessment of nanomaterial definitions and safety evaluation considerations.

Background Nanotechnology applications can be found in agricultural production, animal feed, food processing, food additives and food contact materials (hereinafter referred to as agri/feed/food). A great diversity of nanomaterials is reported to be currently used in various applications, while new nanomaterials and applications are reported to be in development. Scope and approach It is expected that applications of nanomaterials in agri/feed/food will increase in the future and thereby increase the human and environmental exposure to such materials. To gain up-to-date knowledge we explored and reviewed the already marketed and in-development applications of nanomaterials in the agri/feed/food sectors upon the request of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In this paper the results of the project are highlighted and discussed in more detail. Key findings and conclusions The majority of the applications of nanomaterials that we identified concerned application in food as food additives and food contact materials, while much fewer applications seem to be developed for agriculture and feed. Nano-encapsulates, silver, titanium dioxide and silica are the most often mentioned nanomaterials in the literature. About half of the identified applications are claimed to be already in use. In-development applications are found for nano-encapsulates and nano-composites in novel foods, food and feed additives, biocides, pesticides and food contact materials.

Nanomaterials for products and application in agriculture, feed and food

Regulatory aspects of nanotechnology in the agri/feed/food sector in EU and non-EU countries.

The European Food Safety Authority has produced this Guidance on human and animal health aspects (Part 1) of the risk assessment of nanoscience and nanotechnology applications in the food and feed chain. It covers the application areas within EFSA's remit, e.g. novel foods, food contact materials, food/feed additives and pesticides. The Guidance takes account of the new developments that have taken place since publication of the previous Guidance in 2011. Potential future developments are suggested in the scientific literature for nanoencapsulated delivery systems and nanocomposites in applications such as novel foods, food/feed additives, biocides, pesticides and food contact materials. Therefore, the Guidance has taken account of relevant new scientific studies that provide more insights to physicochemical properties, exposure assessment and hazard characterisation of nanomaterials. It specifically elaborates on physicochemical characterisation of nanomaterials in terms of how to establish whether a material is a nanomaterial, the key parameters that should be measured, the methods and techniques that can be used for characterisation of nanomaterials and their determination in complex matrices. It also details the aspects relating to exposure assessment and hazard identification and characterisation. In particular, nanospecific considerations relating to in vivo/in vitro toxicological studies are discussed and a tiered framework for toxicological testing is outlined. It describes in vitro degradation, toxicokinetics, genotoxicity as well as general issues relating to testing of nanomaterials. Depending on the initial tier results, studies may be needed to investigate reproductive and developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, allergenicity, neurotoxicity, effects on gut microbiome and endocrine activity. The possible use of read-across to fill data gaps as well as the potential use of integrated testing strategies and the knowledge of modes/mechanisms of action are also discussed. The Guidance proposes approaches to risk characterisation and uncertainty analysis, and provides recommendations for further research in this area.

/pdf/guidance-on-risk-assessment-of-the-application-of-syhsiy0ey3.pdf

Guidance on risk assessment of the application of nanoscience and nanotechnologies in the food and feed chain: Part 1, human and animal health.

This report provides the JRC assessment of feedback on the experiences of stakeholders with the EC nanomaterial definition, published in 2011 (EC Recommendation 2011/696/EU). The report is a follow-up report of the previous JRC report (EUR 26567 EN, 2014), which compiled feedback collected by JRC in 2013 and early 2014, partly through a dedicated survey. Based on the current report, JRC will prepare a set of recommendations for the revision of the EC nanomaterial definition, as part of the review process foreseen in the 2011 EC Recommendation. JRC Scientific and Policy Report Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term "nanomaterial" Part 2: Assessment of collected information concerning the experience with the definition

Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term "nanomaterial"Part 2: Assessment of collected information concerning the experience with the defintion

Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term "nanomaterial"; Part 1: Compilation of information concerning the experience with the definition

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique that has been applied for stimulation of conventional oil and gas wells in the US since many years. The recent developments in high volume hydraulic fracturing combined with directional/horizontal drilling techniques have made the gas trapped into unconventional reservoirs such as shale formations economically exploitable. In the US, shale gas has become an important energy resource. In the EU, there is limited experience in the use of these techniques and research/experimental drilling activities have been performed in some Member States where shale gas reservoirs are present. In this context, the EC's Joint Research Centre’s Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (JRC-IHCP) was asked by EC's DG Environment to perform an assessment of REACH registration dossiers of certain selected substances that may be connected with the use in hydraulic fracturing of shale gas reservoirs. The main goal of this task was to understand whether this type of use has been registered under REACH and eventually how industry is dealing with related exposure scenarios and exposure assessments. The present document reports and discusses the results of the analysis of the selected REACH registration dossiers. As the Commission’s in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre’s mission is to provide EU policies with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle. Working in close cooperation with policy Directorates-General, the JRC addresses key societal challenges while stimulating innovation through developing new standards, methods and tools, and sharing and transferring its know-how to the Member States and international community. Key policy areas include: environment and climate change; energy and transport; agriculture and food security; health and consumer protection; information society and digital agenda; safety and security including nuclear; all supported through a cross-cutting and multi-disciplinary approach. LB -N A -269-EN -N

/pdf/assessment-of-the-use-of-substances-in-hydraulic-fracturing-25z0aqp9s8.pdf

Amenta Valeria

Papers

Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term "nanomaterial"Part 2: Assessment of collected information concerning the experience with the defintion

Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term "nanomaterial"; Part 1: Compilation of information concerning the experience with the definition

Assessment of the use of substances in hydraulic fracturing of shale gas reservoirs under REACH