Monitoring strategies for workplaces with handling of nanoparticles

Status:

completed 04/2009

Aims:

The rapidly developing field of nanotechnologies presents many opportunities and benefits for new materials with significantly improved properties as well as revolutionary applications in the fields of energy, environment, medicine, etc. The industrial production and use of nanoparticles will be the driving force for the emerging new materials industry of the 21st century. This new industry can only develop dynamically if the potential impact of these new materials on human health and the environment is satisfactorily treated. As there is only few and alarming knowledge on the health impact of nanoparticles, the statutory occupational accident insurances are looking for an appropriate risk management and especially for a suitable monitoring strategy and protection measures. As these problems can not be solved alone, the BG-Institute für Occupational Safety and Health contributes to the European project Nanosafe 2, that also covers the risk management.

Activities/Methods:

The BGIA contributed to the development of the monitoring strategy of worklpaces. Measuremet methods for the determination of nanoparticle release were chosen and a schedule for measurements in the workplace was developed and tested. The data derived by this schedule give information on the expected exposure to nanoparticles. The release of nanoparticles was measured at selected workplaces of the project partners. In the field of continuing education for handling of nanomaterials help could be given for the preparation of an interactive platform (www.nanosmile.org). Standardisation in the field of nanotechnologies was compiled and presented for the project partners.

Results:

Workplace concentrations at handling of nanomaterials was determined during several workplace measurements at the project partners. A monitoring strategy for workplaces handling nanomaterials was set up, tested and improved. The platform for continuous education www.nanosmile.org can be used by applicants of nanotechnologies. Results of the project will be included in future standardisation.

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