Development of an integrative program of nanosafety: Promote the coordination between industries and risk assessor

Abstract

Nanomaterials are widely present in many industrial sectors (e.g., chemical, biomedical, environment), and their application is expected to significantly expand in the coming years. However, nanomaterial use raises many questions about the potential risks to human health and the environment and, more specifically, to occupational health. The available literature supports the ability of the lung, gastrointestinal tract, and skin to act as significant barriers against systemic exposure to many nanomaterials. However, because a potential risk issue exists about the toxicity of nanomaterials to the biological material, tools need to be developed for improving the risk management of the regulators. The goal is to develop a tool that examines the current knowledge base regarding the health risks posed by engineered nanoparticles to improve nanotechnology safety prior to the marketing phase. The approach proposed during this work was to establish a safety assessment constructed on a decision-control pathway regarding nanomaterial production and consumer's product to integrate different aspects. These aspects include: (1) primarily research and identification of the nanomaterial base of physicochemical properties, toxicity, and application; (2) the occupational exposure risk during the manufacturing process; (3) and the engineered nanomaterial upon the consumer product. This approach provides important parameters to reduce the uncertainty related to the production of nanomaterials prior their commercialization, reduce the reluctance from the industry, and provide a certification tool of sanitary control for the regulators. This work provides a better understanding of a critical issue of nanomaterials and consumer safety. © IOP Publishing Ltd 2013.