The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) initiated a research project called NanoGEM (Nanostructured materials – Health, Exposure and Material Properties). It is taking place with the involvement of 19 research institutions and companies, among them are BASFand Bayer. 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 Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA), Duisburg, Germany.
NanoGEM which started August 1, 2010, 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 and is intended to make an important contribution to the systematic assessment of risk in association with nanomaterial use.
