The term „nano“ derives from the greek word nanos, dwarf. A nanometer is one millionth of a milimeter. It is equal to 1/1,000,000,000th or one-billionth of a meter. When things are this small, you can't see them with your eyes, or a light microscope. Objects this small require a special tool called electron microscope or scanning probe microscope.
Nanoparticles range in size from 1nm to 100nm.
All these naturally and synthetic things are on the nanometer scale: Virus (30-50 nm), DNA (2.5 nm), buckyballs (~1 nm in diameter), CNT (~1 nm in diameter).

A material is called a nano-object when one, two or three external dimensions of it are present in nanoscale. This includes nanoparticles, i.e. nano-objects with all three external dimensions on the nanoscale. Nano-platelets are nano-objects with one external dimension on the nanoscale, and two much larger external dimensions. Nanofibers have two similar external dimensions on the nanoscale, and a third external dimension that is much larger than the other two dimensions.

These definitions were developed in 2008 by the Technical Committee ISO/TC 229 "Nanotechnologies" in collaboration with the Technical Committee CEN/TC 352 "Nanotechnologies". The relevant German body is the Working Committee NA 062-08-17 AA in the Materials Testing Standards Committee and published as the German Industry Standard CEN ISO/TS 27687:2008-11.

Nanoparticles can be of different chemical nature. Both inorganic and organic nanoparticles are known. They can consist of only one element, i.e. metal or carbon or of compounds like oxides, nitrides, etc. Nanocomposites are understood to be composite materials that have at least one component in the form of a nano-object. Nanoparticles often build clusters of aggregates or agglomerates. By contrast to aggregates, agglomerates can be ground into the primary grains through optimal mixing. Therefore, their shape can be very inconsistent and they may take a wide variety of forms which has considerable influence on their properties. In principle, because of their enormous surface-to-mass ratio nanoparticles behave completely different than larger composites.

Are legal regulations like chemical legislation and work protection law sufficient to take the special properties of nanoparticles into account? What are the legal requirements concerning nanomaterials in Germany?

In Germany and at European and international level there are no specific legal requirements on nanotechnology. Chemicals (this includes nanomaterials) are subject to chemical legislation, safety and health for employees at work are subject to safety and health regulations. Since 1 July 2008 the European chemicals legislation REACH additionally provides a framework for the assessment of nanomaterials. Whether there is a need for specific action apart from that is investigated in research projects like NanoCare. The results of NanoCare will help in defining future safety measures for nanomaterials.

How dangerous are nanoscale particles (ultrafine particles) that are already present in the environment through soot emissions and natural aerosols like SiO₂ or beech dust?

Dust and aerosols in the environment can also be hazardous. It is known that i.e. inhaled wood dust from beech and oak in joineries can lead to cancer. Fine dust and diesel exhaust gases are known to have an impact on the human respiration system. Research on the effects of nanoparticles will lead to new findings regarding the evaluation of ultrafine particles occurring in the environment. Vice versa, present evaluation studies of fine dust and particles from combustion processes can lead to conclusions about the effects of some synthetic nanoparticles (i.e. in the respiratory tract).

Such vaccines against flu viruses don’t contain any synthetic nanoparticles as they wouldn’t have any task. Because the contact to the antibody-producing cells is made by injecting the vaccine directly into the blood, no “fillers” are needed.

The Paul-Ehrlich Institute (in Germany) gives the following information on its website:
Although some of the components are in a size range of nanoparticles, it is not about synthetic nanoparticles.

To what extent are nano sealings of glass, lacquer, or metal surfaces hazardous to the human organism - during the process of sealing or later, when the surface-treated products are actually used?

These are our opinions on the topic, we exclude any liability claims.
The term nano is not protected. No one guarantees that the corresponding product really contains nano. Some manufacturers use the term because it seems to be effective in advertising.

The lacquer association has conducted a study that examines nanoparticles in lacquers (in German only). The result is described as being positive (from the customer’s point of view).

If no information about the used nanomaterial is provided on the product you can contact the manufacturer to get information about the used nanomaterials. I.e. which ones were used, where do they come from, are there any toxicologic studies on them, did the lacquer association conduct any tests on the product you are interested in? In the best case it can be concluded from these facts whether a risk does exist or not.

Topic: recycling, recovery, secondary raw material

There is no difference to existing products - if they are recyclable products they are recycled. Because nanoparticles often consist of rare materials (silver nanoparticles or rare earths) it will be in the interest of the companies to recycle these materials to prevent a steep increase in the prices of these products on medium-term. Therefore, there will be a self-regulation of the market.

Is it reasonable to call for a regulation that prohibits further research on nanotechnology?

Not from the point of view of DaNa and the NanoCare Cluster. There are indeed still some knowledge gaps, but that is this way with every new area of research. These gaps will be closed by the new findings from the numerous national, European and international projects. In our opinion there are so many positive aspects to nanotechnology (i.e. in the medical sector or in the protection of the environment.) that a moratorium would be contra productive. 

As many processes in nature take place on the nanoscale, research on nanotechnology will lead to a better understanding of these natural processes. Advances in medicine would be very difficult if research on nanotechnology was not allowed any more. Of course the intended goals of every single project have to be validated. Ethically dubious projects are rejected by most scientists and all sponsors.

For the nanotechnologists their science is just like any other: what matters are the people working in this field and what they make of it.

The chemical industry is contributing to the social debate on nanotechnology in two ways: by providing information and by engaging in dialogues. Employees present their own research results to the public at conferences and in publications. Some companies inform about topics like work protection or about a nanotechnology code of conduct (EU-Codex) on their websites.

The chemical industry is proactive on possible concerns and worries of people regarding their products. It participated with own works in research projects like NanoCare, INOS and TRACER and is involved in the public dialogue. The industry also takes part in other ongoing research projects like Carbosafe.