Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are new lightweight, high-strength and thixotropic nanomaterials for which a wide variety of applications is being developed. When CNFs are proved to be safe, they have potential for wider use in practical applications. However, since they are new nanomaterials with unconventional properties, such as viscosity and transparency, there are no established methods for assessing their safety. There is therefore a need to develop methods for detection and quantification, toxicity testing, and exposure and emission assessment methods that can be used to assess their safety.

Documents (Examples of CNF detection and quantification, Procedures for toxicity testing for CNFs, and Examples of emission/exposure assessments for CNFs and their applied products) have been published. With the aim of supporting CNF-handling companies in their safety management of CNFs, AIST has prepared the documents jointly with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Oji Holdings Corporation, DKS, Daio Paper Corporation, and Nippon Paper Industries in the project entitled “Development of Manufacturing Process Technologies for Non-Edible, Plant-Derived Chemical Products” commissioned by NEDO. These documents can be downloaded from the website of AIST (https://www.aist-riss.jp/assessment/45276/).