NanoSafe III: A User Friendly Safety Management System for Nanomaterials in Laboratories and Small Facilities

Abstract

Research in nanoscience continues to bring forward a steady stream of new nanomaterials and processes that are being developed and marketed. While scientific committees and expert groups deal with the harmonization of terminology and legal challenges, risk assessors in research labs continue to have to deal with the gap between regulations and rapidly developing information. The risk assessment of nanomaterial processes is currently slow and tedious because it is performed on a material-by-material basis. Safety data sheets are rarely available for (new) nanomaterials, and even when they are, they often lack nano-specific information. Exposure estimations or measurements are difficult to perform and require sophisticated and expensive equipment and personal expertise. The use of banding-based risk assessment tools for laboratory environments is an efficient way to evaluate the occupational risks associated with nanomaterials. Herein, we present an updated version of our risk assessment tool for working with nanomaterials based on a three-step control banding approach and the precautionary principle. The first step is to determine the hazard band of the nanomaterial. A decision tree allows the assignment of the material to one of three bands based on known or expected effects on human health. In the second step, the work exposure is evaluated and the processes are classified into three “nano” levels for each specific hazard band. The work exposure is estimated using a laboratory exposure model. The result of this calculation in combination with recommended occupational exposure limits (rOEL) for nanomaterials and an additional safety factor gives the final “nano” level. Finally, we update the technical, organizational, and personal protective measures to allow nanomaterial processes to be established in research environments.

The Relation between Environmental Risk Analysis and the Use of Nanomaterials in the Built Environment Sector: A Circular Economy Perspective

“…Different scientific studies have stated that results of many "Environmental Risk Analyses" related to nanomaterials are often common, i.e., linked to safe handling and exposure control of workers producing such materials in factories [21,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Due to their small size and high surface area to volume ratio, some ENMs can easily enter the body, accumulate in tissues, and potentially cause damage, therefore, dangerous to human health [10].…”

“…For example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been reported to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) [20] and pulmonary effects [12]. Toxicological studies have also shown that nanometric titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) particles have the potential to induce cytotoxically [26][27][28][29], genotoxic [30,31], and inflammatory effects [28,29].…”

“…For (new) nanoparticles, safety data sheets are infrequently accessible, and even when they are, they frequently lack nano-specific information. Measurements or exposure estimates are challenging tasks requiring expensive, high-end equipment and specialized knowledge [29].…”