The increasing significance of nanotechnology is presenting new challenges for occupational health and safety

The symposium, which was held at Lucerne’s Culture and Convention Centre (KKL), was attended by entrepreneurs, people responsible for safety and health protection as well as representatives of institutions who are either involved in the field of nanotechnology or are affected by it. For two days, more than 20 experts of international standing from Europe and the US were discussing the various aspects of nanotechnology. At this symposium, the ISSA Chemistry Section drew attention both to the opportunities offered by the new technology, for example, for industry and medicine as well to its risks and hazards. Among other things, significant scientific findings were presented in Lucerne. In addition, discussions on future legal regulations that will play a central role where effective prevention were concerned.

Observing the effects

Nanotechnology is made up of the manufacture, investigation and application of the smallest structures, which reveal partially unforeseen properties and open up new technical applications. As with every new technology, however, it is also vital to carefully observe any possible effects on people and the environment. Due to their small size - they are less than one thousand times thinner than a human hair - nanoparticles can be absorbed by the human body via the lungs and partially via the gastrointestinal tract or the skin, too. Even in the companies concerned, little information is generally available on this new technology. There is therefore a major need for training and further training.

Pooling expertise

«Only knowledge can protect us from the false application of new technologies», claims Erwin Radek, President of the ISSA’s Chemistry Section, with an eye toward the topics that were addressed. The symposium also aimed to pool existing expertise and to intensify the exchange of knowledge among experts. «This is because the increasing significance of nanotechnology presents us with new challenges in occupational and health protection», according to Erwin Radek. Cross-border cooperation ensures that statutory and prophylactic parameters remain in step with developments in nanotechnology. With its international attendees, the event helped  to ensure that the new technology will be used responsibly and that any possible risks can be better identified and minimised. This is the only way to prevent a second asbestos scenario. In Europe alone, estimates by EU experts anticipate the deaths of ten thousands of people in the next 20 years from the consequences of diseases attributable to what was once a miracle fibre.

For example, the current developments and/or goals of nanotechnology include:

• The further miniaturisation of semiconductor electronics and optoelectronics and the development of innovative materials in industrial production processes, e.g. nano tubes.
• The development of new diagnostics and treatments in medicine (e.g. contrast agents for imaging techniques in computer tomography or magnetic resonance tomography as well as new drugs containing nanoparticles to transport or store active ingredients, e.g. for the treatment of tumours).
• Improvement of self-cleaning processes for surfaces. Numerous applications are also used to solve everyday problems, e.g. the lotus effect.
• Nanotechnology is currently being used as corrosion protection for car bodywork. In this case, a nanoscale binding agent is used as an alternative to chromate layers during the spraying process.
• Protection against UV radiation in modern sun creams is provided by nanoscale titanium dioxide.

Nanotechnology: risks and opportunities - Photos

Symposium photos

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Downloads

Programme / Programm

English [ 01_Programme_English.pdf 1,35 MB ]
Français [ 03_Programme_Français.pdf 1,38 MB ]
Deutsch [ 02_Programm_Deutsch.pdf 1,40 MB ]

List of speakers and moderators

[ 04_List of speakers and moderators.pdf 263,04 kB ]

Abstracts / Résumés / Zusammenfassungen

English [ 06_Abstracts_English.pdf 398,80 kB ]
Français [ 08_Résumés_Français.pdf 378,01 kB ]
Deutsch [ 07_Kurzfassungen_Deutsch.pdf 378,71 kB ]

Lectures / Présentations / Vorträge

Markus Berges, Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung, Germany
Exposure estimation from aerosol measurements in nanotechnology industries
[ Markus_ Berges_Occupational Exposure.pdf 6,47 MB ]

Denis Bemer, INRS, France:
Aerosol filtration - particles < 100 nm
[ Denis_Bemer_Filtering nanoparticle aerosols.pdf 2,24 MB ]

Daniel Bernard, Union des industries chimiques UIC:
Guide Bonnes Pratiques nanomatériaux et HSE
[ Daniel_Bernard_Guide bonnes practiques nanomateriaux et HSE.pdf 362,92 kB ]

Thomas Brock, ISSA Section on Prevention in the Chemical Industry/Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie, Germany:
[ 2Nanotechnology Dr. Thomas Brock.pdf 106,50 kB ]

Thomas Brock, ISSA Section on Prevention in the Chemical Industry/Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie, Germany
Prevention measures in nanomaterial R&D
[ Thomas_Brock_Prevention measures in nanomaterial RD.pdf 2,04 MB ]

Stefan Engel, BASF SE, Hazardous Chemicals Management, Germany:
Definition of the Phrase Nanomaterial and Metrological Uncertainties
[ Stefan_Engel_Definition of the Phrase Nanomaterial.pdf 2,25 MB ]

Robert Falkner, London School of Economics, United Kingdom:
Regulation of nanomaterials: The international dimension
[ Robert_Falkner_Regulation of nanomaterials - The international dimension.pdf 381,24 kB ]

Martin Fierz, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
Portable instruments for nanoparticle measurement
[ Martin_Fierz_Portable instruments for nanoparticle measurement.pdf 4,52 MB ]

E. Gaffet, NanoMaterials Research Group, CNRS, France
NanoMaterials: Synthesis
[ Eric_Gaffet_Nanomaterials Synthesis.pdf 4,14 MB ]

André Gazsó, Institute of Technology Assessment, Austrian Academy of Sciences:
Nanotechnologie – Chancen und Risiken Eine Herausforderung für den Arbeitsschutz
[ Andre_Gazso_Use of nanoparticles in product manufacturing.pdf 383,79 kB ]

A. Graff, Österreichische Staub-(Silikose-)Bekämpfungsstelle, Austria:
Exposition gegenüber Nanopartikeln am Arbeitsplatz
[ Alexander_Graff_Exposition gegenüber Nanopartikeln am Arbeitsplatz.pdf 1,10 MB ]

Yves Guichard, Department of Pollutants and Health, INRS, France:
In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles
[ Yves_Guichard_In vitro cytoxicity and genotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles.pdf 8,91 MB ]

Bertrand Honnert, INRS Institut national de recherche et de sécurité pour la prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles, France:
Production and use of nano-objects in France
[ Bertrand_Honnert_Proudction of nano objects in Francex.pdf 4,51 MB ]

Harald F. Krug, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology:
Toxicological Principles of Nanoobjects - Nanoparticles and Nanofibres
[ Harald_Krug_Toxicological Principles of Nanoobjects.pdf 6,26 MB ]

Kristen M. Kulinowski, Rice University, United States:
Safe Handling of Nanomaterials
[ Kristen_Kulinowski_Safe handling of nanomaterials.pdf 4,32 MB ]

Claus-Michael Lehr, Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Universität des Saarlands, Germany:
Nanomedizin - Wirksamere und sicherere Medikamente mit Hilfe der Nanotechnologie
[ Claus-Michael-Lehr_Use of nanoparticles - medical applications.pdf 3,27 MB ]

Myriam Ricaud, Pôle Risques Chimiques, INRS, France:
Occupational risk assessment and management of nanomaterials
[ Myriam_Ricaud_Occupational risk assessment.pdf 3,13 MB ]

Klaus Günter Steinhäuser, Federal Environment Agency, Germany:
OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN): International Rules for Nanosafety
[ Klaus_Günther_Steinhäuser_International Rules of Nanosafety.pdf 322,11 kB ]

Christoph Studer, Bundesamt für Gesundheit BAG, Switzerland:
Aktionsplan synthetische Nanomaterialien
[ Christoph_Studer_Aktionsplan synthetische Nanomaterialien.pdf 558,65 kB ]

Michael Riediker, Institut universitaire romand de Santé au Travail, Switzerland:
“Nanos“: applications and perspectives?
[ Michael_Riediker_ Nano - What applications and what perspectives.pdf 4,86 MB ]

Michael Stintz, Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental Technology, TU Dresden, Germany:
Determining physical and chemical reactivity
[ Michael_Stintz_Determing physical and chemical reactivity.pdf 3,30 MB ]

Eva Valic, AUVA, Austria:
Toxikologische Auswirkungen von Nanopartikeln – Aufnahmewege, Ausscheidung und Wirkungsweise
[ Eva_Valic_Toxikologische Auswirkungen von Nanopartikeln.pdf 1,85 MB ]

Thorsten Weidl, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH:
Untersuchung und Bewertung der Risiken bei der Verarbeitung von Nanomaterialien
[ Thorsten_Weidl_Untersuchung und Bewertung der Risiken.pdf 2,92 MB ]

Olivier Witschger, Laboratoire de Métrologie des Aérosols, Département Métrologie des Polluants, INRS Institut national de recherche et de sécurité pour la prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles, France:
Airborne nanoparticle exposures: current methods and prospects
[ Olivier_Witschger_Aireborne nanoparticle exposure.pdf 6,74 MB ]

On the same issue

INRS Occupational Health Research Conference 2011: Risks associated to nanoparticles and nanomaterials >>
Nancy, France, 05.-07.04.2011