A Road Map Toward a Globally Harmonized Approach for Occupational Health Surveillance and Epidemiology in Nanomaterial Workers

Riediker, Michael; Schubauer‐Berigan, Mary K.; Brouwer, D.H.; Nelissen, Inge; Koppen, Gudrun; Frijns, Evelien; Clark, Katherine; Hoeck, Juergen; Liou, Saou-Hsing; Ho, Sweet Far; Bergamaschi, Enrico; Gibson, Rosemary M.

doi:10.1097/jom.0b013e31826e27f1

Cited by 23 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A more generalized plan was introduced by Riediker et al (2012), which broke the general need for epidemiologic studies into subquestions divided into categories more closely linked to materials and exposure assessment, determination of endpoints and markers, and elements of risk management, study design, and data analysis. This context recognized the need for advances in each field to determine the ideal analytical techniques for exposure assessment, determination of exposure biomarkers, and data handling methods as well as cross-talk between each to yield a more useful final result (Riediker et al 2012).…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000–2015

Pa¹,

Roth²,

Hodson³

et al. 2016

J Nanopart Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Engineered nanomaterials significantly entered commerce at the beginning of the 21st century. Concerns about serious potential health effects of nanomaterials were widespread. Now, approximately 15 years later, it is worthwhile to take stock of research and efforts to protect nanomaterial workers from potential risks of adverse health effects. This article provides and examines timelines for major functional areas (toxicology, metrology, exposure assessment, engineering controls and personal protective equipment, risk assessment, risk management, medical surveillance, and epidemiology) to identify significant contributions to worker safety and health. The occupational safety and health field has responded effectively to identify gaps in knowledge and practice, but further research is warranted and is described. There is now a greater, if imperfect, understanding of the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle toxicology, hazards to workers, and appropriate controls for nanomaterials, but unified analytical standards and exposure characterization methods are still lacking. The development of control-banding and similar strategies has compensated for incomplete data on exposure and risk, but it is unknown how widely such approaches are being adopted. Although the importance of epidemiologic studies and medical surveillance is recognized, implementation has been slowed by logistical issues. Responsible development of nanotechnology requires protection of workers at all stages of the technological life cycle. In each of the functional areas assessed, progress has been made, but more is required.

show abstract

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This context recognized the need for advances in each field to determine the ideal analytical techniques for exposure assessment, determination of exposure biomarkers, and data handling methods as well as cross-talk between each to yield a more useful final result (Riediker et al 2012). …”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000–2015

Pa¹,

Roth²,

Hodson³

et al. 2016

J Nanopart Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A registry would be warranted if it meets established criteria or rationale. Scientists and OHS experts recognized that in the case of nanotechnology workers with unknown exposure level and unknown health hazards there might be good reasons to consider registration of workers with ENM exposure [12,13]. …”

Section: Exposure Registrymentioning

confidence: 99%

French registry of workers handling engineered nanomaterials as an instrument of integrated system for surveillance and research

Canu

Boutou-Kempf

Delabre

et al. 2013

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Animal studies have also yielded an informative array of candidate biomarkers of exposure and effect that could be assessed cross-sectionally and possibly prospectively [43]. There are many technical and logistical issues in developing and conducting epidemiologic studies of workers exposed to ENMs, but there should be a commitment of funds for international research to pursue the health of the current and future workforce [44][45].…”

Section: Monitoring the Health Of The Workforcementioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Risk Management for Engineered Nanomaterials

Schulte

Geraci

Hodson

et al. 2013

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is considered a new and challenging occurrence. Preliminary information from laboratory studies indicates that workers exposed to some kinds of ENMs could be at risk of adverse health effects. To protect the nanomaterial workforce, a precautionary risk management approach is warranted and given the newness of ENMs and emergence of nanotechnology, a naturalistic view of risk management is useful. Employers have the primary responsibility for providing a safe and healthy workplace. This is achieved by identifying and managing risks which include recognition of hazards, assessing exposures, characterizing actual risk, and implementing measures to control those risks. Following traditional risk management models for nanomaterials is challenging because of uncertainties about the nature of hazards, issues in exposure assessment, questions about appropriate control methods, and lack of occupational exposure limits (OELs) or nano-specific regulations. In the absence of OELs specific for nanomaterials, a precautionary approach has been recommended in many countries. The precautionary approach entails minimizing exposures by using engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). Generally, risk management utilizes the hierarchy of controls. Ideally, risk management for nanomaterials should be part of an enterprisewide risk management program or system and this should include both risk control and a medical surveillance program that assesses the frequency of adverse effects among groups of workers exposed to nanomaterials. In some cases, the medical surveillance could include medical screening of individual workers to detect early signs of work-related illnesses. All medical surveillance should be used to assess the effectiveness of risk management; however, medical surveillance should be considered as a second line of defense to ensure that implemented risk management practices are effective.

show abstract

A Road Map Toward a Globally Harmonized Approach for Occupational Health Surveillance and Epidemiology in Nanomaterial Workers

Abstract: We should aim to go beyond the collection of health complaints, illness statistics, or even counts of deaths; the manifestation of such clear endpoints would indicate a failure of preventive measures.

Cited by 23 publications

References 62 publications

Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000–2015

Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000–2015

French registry of workers handling engineered nanomaterials as an instrument of integrated system for surveillance and research

Overview of Risk Management for Engineered Nanomaterials

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About