Guidance for handling and use of nanomaterials at the workplace

Abstract

<jats:p> Chances and risks of nanomaterials is a most fascinating challenge of future technologies. This new technology and their related materials are beneficial, for example, for energy reduction, lower emissions to the environment, and safe resources. However, there are concerns about health effects related to the very small dimensions of such materials. Because of our commitment to the principles of “Sustainable Chemistry” and “Responsible Care®,” the chemical industry actively cooperates with all relevant stakeholders to assure a safe handling and use of nanomaterials. In this manner, the German chemical industry is committed to establish and disseminate best practices for a responsible production and use of nanomaterials. Protection of human life and the environment is a fundamental principle for our industry. Even though in the European Union the existing legal framework for risk assessment for chemical substances applies for nanomaterials, specific properties of nanomaterials may require amendments. The German Chemical Industry Association (Verband der Chemischen Industrie, VCI) has, therefore, issued guidance documents and recommendation papers to support companies in the sustainable and responsible development of nanotechnology-based applications. One of these guidance documents focused on ensuring the workplace safety of our employees. Background for this document was a joint survey on occupational health and safety in the handling and use of nanomaterials, which was conducted in spring 2006 from the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, BAuA) and VCI. The purpose of the survey was to obtain an overview of occupational health and safety methods currently applied in the chemical industry in activities involving nanomaterials. The questionnaire survey was evaluated by BAuA; the "Guidance for Handling and Use of Nanomaterials at the Workplace" was elaborated predominantly by VCI. This Guidance provides some orientation regarding measures in the production and use of nanomaterials at the workplace. The recommendations given there reflect the current state of science and technology. </jats:p>

Nano-QSAR modeling for predicting biological activity of diverse nanomaterials

“…Manufactured NMs intended for industrial applications may cause toxic effects in humans and public concern about the safety of these materials is increasing. 3 Recently, there appeared some reports in literature on the adverse effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on humans and environment. 4,5 Acute or repeated exposure to NPs present in commercial products may potentially cause systemic, cellular and/or genomic toxicities.…”

Safety Assessment of Silylates and Surface-Modified Siloxysilicates

“…The presence of silylate particles may be quantified and counted by a scanning mobility particle sizer. 12 Gas chromatography (GC) was used to identify fluorine compounds in trifluoropropyldimethyl/trimethylsiloxysilicate. 13 Samples of trifluoropropyldimethyl/trimethylsiloxysilicate were analyzed for stability using infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance.…”

Exploring Quantitative Nanostructure-Activity Relationships (QNAR) Modeling as a Tool for Predicting Biological Effects of Manufactured Nanoparticles

“…However, their potential toxicological effects to biological and environmental systems [3] have not been given special attention until recently [4][5][6]. There is a growing public concern about the safety of MNPs [7,8] since it has been demonstrated that MNPs intended for industrial applications could cause toxic effects in humans [6,[9][10][11]. These undesirable effects could result from exposure and subsequent absorption of ultrafine MNPs [12] and lead to their potentially detrimental delivery to critical organs [13].…”