The main risk for human health arising from engineered nanomaterials may be chronic occupational inhalation exposure, especially during activities of high particle release and uncontrolled exposure, according to basic risk assessments performed by scientists from the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC). Spray applications of nanomaterials may be of concern for consumers, while the main risk for the environment is expected from metal and metal oxide nanomaterials. The scientists assessed four types of nanomaterials: fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, nanosilver, and the metal oxides nano-titanium dioxide and nano-zinc oxide. The IHCP cautions that publicly available hazard and exposure data for these nanomaterials are limited, thus high uncertainties exist in any conclusion on possible risk. Further work, they say, is required in terms of generation of data and the development of methodologies. The article can be viewed online at the link below.