Professor Jo Wan-seop of Dong-A University Develops Two ISO Standards for Nano Material Safety Evaluation

Providing Quantitative Evidence for Nanotechnology Safety Evaluation Boosts Corporate Overseas Expansion

Advancement in Nanomaterial Toxicity Testing... Expected to Contribute to Protection and Growth of the Nano Industry

Dong-A University (President Lee Hae-woo) announced that Professor Cho Wan-seop of the Department of Biomedical Engineering has developed two ISO (International Standards) for the first time in the world that can quantitatively evaluate the residual amount of nanomaterials in the body.

Professor Jo Wan-seop, Dong-A University.

They have established a standardized test method that can scientifically evaluate the long-term quantitative testing method of nanomaterials, which had not been standardized until now, thereby supporting domestic companies' overseas expansion and contributing to the protection and fostering of the domestic nano industry through the advancement of nanomaterial toxicity testing.

Professor Cho achieved the development of two ISO standards: "Measurement method of residual nanomaterials in the lung in nanomaterial inhalation toxicity testing (ISO/TS 5387:2023)" and "Recovery method of nanomaterials from lung tissue using proteolytic enzymes (ISO/TS 7833:2024)."

He serves as a member of ISO Technical Committee TC229 (Nanotechnology) Working Group 3 (Nanomaterials Environmental, Health, and Safety) and has participated in the development of national standards as a member of the Korean Standards Association.

This achievement is significant because it enables more accurate toxicity evaluation by establishing an international standardized test method for the bioquantification of inhaled nanomaterials in the body.

Nanotechnology is applied in many industrial fields such as semiconductors, displays, information and communication, fuel cells, medicine, and beauty, but there has been a growing need for accurate evaluation methods for the safety of nanomaterials at the invisible microscopic scale. This is because toxic nanomaterials can enter and remain in the body through the respiratory system in industrial sites using various pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

To handle nanomaterials, companies must prove safety through toxicity test data. However, until now, there was no standardized test method to quantitatively evaluate the long-term residual amount of nanomaterials in the body, so evaluations were conducted based on each company's own standards or entrusted to the US or Europe at high costs.

Professor Cho said, "It is more meaningful that the research results can be used worldwide and regulatory agencies can adopt the standardized test methods. With the establishment of this international standard, I believe the possibility of domestic companies entering overseas markets has somewhat increased by providing a basis for offering toxicity test data with credibility and reliability. I hope that actively utilizing the international standards will enhance technological capabilities and product safety, increase competitiveness in the nano field, and help the growth of companies."

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