Safety Assessment of Graphene-Based Materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Toxicology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Graphene, the first 2D atomic crystal, spurred the development of other atomically thin materials with diverse properties.
• Safety assessments for novel materials often lag behind their discovery.
• The Graphene Flagship project proactively addressed the health and environmental implications of graphene and related 2D materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the outcomes of toxicological and ecotoxicological studies on graphene and its derivatives.
• To highlight key interdisciplinary lessons learned from a decade of research on 2D material safety.
• To inform future safety assessments of emerging atomically thin materials.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive toxicological studies on graphene and its derivatives.
• Ecotoxicological assessments to evaluate environmental impact.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration between materials science and biology experts.

Main Results:

• Detailed toxicological profiles of graphene and its derivatives were established.
• Ecotoxicological data provided insights into the environmental fate and effects of these materials.
• The research underscored the importance of integrating safety assessments early in the material development lifecycle.

Conclusions:

• Early and continuous safety assessment is crucial for the responsible development of novel materials like graphene.
• Interdisciplinary approaches are essential for understanding the complex interactions of nanomaterials with biological and environmental systems.
• The findings provide a valuable framework for evaluating the safety of other 2D materials.