SANOWORK

Safe Nano Worker Exposure Scenarios

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main goal of Sanowork project is to identify a safe occupational exposure scenario by exposure assessment in real conditions and at all stages of nanomaterials (NM) production, use and disposal. In order to address this and more specifically the issues introduced by NMP.2011.1.3-2 call, we intend to: 1. contain hazard and worker exposure potential by developing exposure mitigation strategy based on ‘‘Prevention through Design’’ approach. 2. implement a rigorous exposure assessment in the workplace in order to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed exposure reduction strategies. 3. perform risk analysis off line and on site in order to identify substance product properties and operational condition that ensure a safer worker exposure scenario. 4. Assess COST/ EFFICIENCY of the proposed strategies on the basis of risk analysis results, materials/properties efficiency, risk transfer to insurance underwriter community. The Sanowork proposed risk remediation strategy will be applied to nanomaterial properties. The following “representative” pool of NM and nanoproducts have been selected: TiO2 and Ag (ceramic or textile photocatalytic/antibacterial surfaces); CNTs (polymeric nanocomposites); organic/inorganic nanofibers (nanostructured membranes for water depuration system). The strategy is addressed to mitigate risk by decreasing adverse health hazard and emission potential of nanomaterials, setting back processes of transport to the point of entry. A sound balance between exposure and health hazards data, before and after the introduction of existing and proposed risk remediation strategies, will allow to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed exposure reduction strategies. The cooperation with industrial key partners such as Plasmachem, Elmarco, GEA Niro, Colorobbia,Bayer will guarantee an accurate exposure assessment in the workplace.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Although industry leaders see great promise in applications of nanotechnology, its development may be hindered by lack of quantitative risk assessments. An EU-funded project is developing multiple strategies to ensure the safety of this technology.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The project 'Safe nano worker exposure scenarios' (http://www.sanowork.eu (SANOWORK)) is focusing on strategies to ensure safer processing lines and to offer product design options with risk management control measures. It is also striving to decrease emission potential and/or human hazard, and to conduct practical risk assessments of nanomaterials (NMs). The aim of the latter is to achieve a reasonable balance between health hazards and exposure data.

Aligning with these concepts, five objectives have been identified. These include promoting, developing and implementing design-based risk remediation strategies and integrating these strategies within manufacturing processing lines. Also proposed is implementing exposure assessment methodologies in workplaces and conducting a risk analysis both before and after the new strategies have been applied. The final step is completing a cost/benefit analysis.

To date, pristine commercial samples have been collected, classified and modified following a safety-by-design approach. Modified NMs have undergone physico-chemical, biological and exposure testing. A qualitative worker exposure methodology has also been developed.

In addition, six processing lines have been implemented at a pilot-scale level. Five companies are evaluating them through exposure measurement and process efficiency determinations. Finally, five risk remediation strategies have been developed.

This project has the potential to improve worker and consumer safety by developing safe, practical and cost-effective strategies. Ensuring safety in the nanotechnology industry is a goal shared by the EU and the United States' nano-safety communities.