Use of Nanomaterials in Animals

Abstract

Nanotechnology is predicted to be a transformative technology and lead to improvements in many aspects of human life. Accumulating scientific evidence from experimental animal studies indicates that exposure to some engineered nanomaterials may cause adverse health effects. Despite efforts to move away from using animals for toxicity and biological testing, the use of animals in nanomaterial testing raises the potential for harmful occupational exposure to researchers, laboratory technicians, and custodial personnel. The risks to workers from such unintentional exposures can be reduced or eliminated through identification of the hazards arising from the use nanomaterials in animals, assessment of all potential worker exposures, and implementation of effective exposure control measures. Proactive guidelines for safe handling of nanomaterials in laboratories are available from both public and private sector bodies and should be consulted regularly to ensure awareness of the newest, actionable nanomaterial risk prevention information.