Assesment of the legislation about biocidal products produced by nanotechnology in Turkey
Assesment of the legislation about biocidal products produced by nanotechnology in Turkey
The aim
ofthis study is to determine whether the legislations in Turkey include
biocidal products produced by nanotechnology. The data were obtained from
scientific articles and Official Gazette website. Results: In our daily life,
due to their antibacterial and antifungal characteristics, nanoparticles (NP)
derived from some metal and metal oxides are used in food and textile products
as protector. In addition, antimicrobial features of biocidal products become
more effective by means of nanotechnology. However, there are no standard risk
assessment and technological classifications of nanomaterials(NM). Although
their potential harmful effects are not fully known, agreat number ofstudies
have shown that they have negative effects on the environment and human health.
Similarly, it's stated that due to the residues they leave after application,
biocidal products that contain NM will have harmful effects in the long run. In
orderto minimize the possible effects of biocidals and to protect the
environment and human health, Biocidal Product Regulation numbered 528/2012 has
been issued bythe European Union. In the aforementioned regulation, the
definitions of “particle”, “agglomerate” and “aggregate” were made in parallel
with NM definition and subjects such as the process of the certification of
biocidal products that contain NM, labeling the products, risk assessment and
marketing were also addressed. In Turkey, legislations about biocidal
products're practiced with “Biocidal Products Regulation” and “Regulations on
the Procedures and Principles of Using Biocidal Products”. It can be seen that
in the most recent updated version of the aforementioned regulations
(12/03/2014 and 15/03/2016, respectively) there are no regulations about
products which have NM, NP or similar contents. Conclusion: It is recommended
that the required legal regulations about biocidal products, which are used for
antimicrobial purposes in products especially in the fields of health, food and
textile, should be completed and put into practice as soon as possible
Keywords:
biocidal,
nanomaterial, nanotechnology, regulation
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- Özlem Terzi, Elif Nur Köksal
Public Health Department, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun Public Health Administration, Giresun
