Abstract
The widespread industrial application of nanotechnology has increased the number of workers exposed to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), but it is not clear to what extent prevention guidance is practiced. Our aim was to explore the extent that companies manufacturing and/or using ENMs apply risk assessment and management measures. Thirty-four companies were surveyed with an international 35-item questionnaire investigating company and workforce features, types of ENM handled, and risk evaluation and preventive measures adopted. Among participating companies, 62% had a maximum of 10 employees. Metal-based nanomaterials were most frequently identified (73%). Environmental monitoring was performed by 41% of the companies, while engineering exposure controls were approximately reported by 50%. Information and training programs were indicated by 85% of the sample, only 9% performed specific health surveillance for ENM workers. Personal protective equipment primarily included gloves (100%) and eye/face protection (94%). This small-scale assessment can contribute to the limited amount of published literature on the topic. Future investigations should include a greater number of companies to better represent ENM workplaces and a direct access to industrial settings to collect information on site. Finally, deeper attention should be paid to define standardized frameworks for ENM risk assessment that may guide nano-specific preventive actions.
Highlights
Nanotechnology involves the production of 1–100-nm-sized materials exploited in various production and industrial fields, such as structural engineering, electronics, consumer products, energy production and storage, environmental quality, and biomedicine sectors [1]
This widespread application relies on the unique technological properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), including mechanical hardness, scratch, and corrosion resistance; thermal insulation and heat resistance; and optical, electronic and magnetic properties [2]
There is the limitation related to the small number of respondent companies, the risk-management scenarios emerging from our survey appear in line with those described in other assessments available in the literature
Summary
Nanotechnology involves the production of 1–100-nm-sized materials exploited in various production and industrial fields, such as structural engineering, electronics, consumer products, energy production and storage, environmental quality, and biomedicine sectors [1]. This widespread application relies on the unique technological properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), including mechanical hardness, scratch, and corrosion resistance; thermal insulation and heat resistance; and optical, electronic and magnetic properties [2]. From an occupational health perspective, this is an important issue, considering the widespread application of ENMs, the increasing number of workers expected to become exposed to such materials throughout the products life-cycles, only preliminary data being available concerning any possible early effects of ENMs on involved. Public Health 2019, 16, 3290; doi:10.3390/ijerph16183290 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.