Human Risk Assessment and Its Application to Nanotechnology: A Challenge for Assessors

Abstract

Scientific literature suggests that exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) might be associated with adverse health effects. A well-developed human risk assessment (HRA) that applies to NPs has never been established and optimized-until now. Furthermore, no government regulations are in place that establish what is considered to be an adequate and secure level of exposure and supported by a strong scientific approach for nanotechnology. It is important to implement the HRA to ensure that workers producing NPs, users of NPs and the general population are protected from deleterious issues related to NPs. In this work, a methodology is described based on the HRA. An effort is required during synthesis before the commercialization phase to evaluate the results of a systematic and rigorous assessment because this could significantly reduce the health risks of those exposed to NPs, including workers and the population.