the british approach to managing the risks from nanomaterials
DESCRIPTION
My presentation at an International workshopNano Reference Values as provisional substitute for OELs and DNELs for nanoparticles. Details at... http://www.ivam.uva.nl/index.php?id=nrviwTRANSCRIPT
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WORKING FOR A HEALTHY FUTURE
INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE . Edinburgh . UK www.iom-world.org
The British approach to the management of potential risks from nanomaterials
John Cherrie
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Summary…
• Disclaimers• The UK government position• HSE guidance• The British Standards Institute (BSI) document• The future and my opinions
www.SafeNano.org/
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UK Government strategy…
• The UK’s economy and consumers will benefit from the development of nanotechnologies through Government’s support of innovation and promotion of the use of these emerging and enabling technologies in a safe, responsible and sustainable way reflecting the needs of the public, industry and academia.
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UK government policy…
• Better understanding of the risks associated with the use of, and exposure to, nanomaterials, and enough people with the right skills to assess them.
• Better informed policies and regulations relating to nanomaterials and nanotechnologies.
• Well-informed public and stakeholders and a leading position on nanotechnologies for the UK on the world stage.
• The Prime Minister …does not want nanotechnologies to be viewed in the same way as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), but in a much more positive light such as the developments in Stem Cell research.
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http://www.hse.gov.uk/nanotechnology/
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Precautionary approach…
• Where nanomaterials have an uncertain or not clearly defined toxicology and unless, or until, sound evidence is available on the hazards from inhalation, ingestion, or absorption a precautionary approach should be taken to the risk management.
• “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.” 1992 Rio Declaration
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The Principles of Good Control Practice…
• Design and operate processes to minimise emission• Take into account all relevant routes of exposure • Control exposure by measures that are proportionate to the
health risk• Choose the most effective and reliable control options • Use PPE when adequate control of exposure cannot be
achieved by other means• Check and review regularly control measures • Inform and train all employees • Ensure that control measures do not increase the overall
risk to health and safety
http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/detail/goodpractice.htm
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Carbon nonotubes (CNTs)…
• Control exposure at source • ducted fume cupboard with a HEPA filter• other suitable effective local exhaust ventilation with a
HEPA filter
• Reduce the number of employees handling CNTs• If possible, keep the material wet• Provide respiratory protective equipment for
emergencies• assigned protection factor (APF) of 40 or higher
• Provide personal protective equipment, e.g. gloves
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web38.pdf
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The BSI Guide…
http://www.bsigroup.com/en/sectorsandservices/Forms/PD-6699-2/Download-PD6699-2-2007/
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Benchmark exposure levels
• Fibrous nanomaterials• 0.01 fibres/ml, as assessed by scanning or transmission
electron microscopy
• CMAR1 nanomaterials• 0.1 × material OEL (mg/m3)
• Insoluble nanomaterials• 0.066 × material OEL (mg/m3) or• 20 000 particles/ml
• Soluble nanomaterials• 0.5 × OEL (mg/m3)
1. carcinogenetic, mutagenic, asthmagenic or a reproductive
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BSI document criticised by HSE advisors
• HSE Working group on Action To control CHemicals (WATCH)
• WATCH opposed the presence of ‘benchmark exposure levels’ in the document because their meaning and regulatory significance could be readily misinterpreted
• WATCH considered that exposure measurements should be gathered: • To considering different exposure control options and their
effectiveness• To be collected and stored in case they could be useful in the
future alongside the monitoring of occupational health
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The future in Britain…
• Britain is committed to the safe use of nanomaterials
• HSE will engage with any discussions in the EU about limit values
• As far as I am aware there are no intentions to introduce limit values for nanomaterials in Britain
• Main focus is on the Principles of Good Control Practice
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My opinions…
• Reference values for nanomaterials are helpful• They should be designed to encourage good control practice
• There should be separate reference values for nanomaterials and larger materials of the same composition• Practical definition(s) of nanomaterials needed
• There needs to be consistency between values for process-generated and engineered nanomaterials
• There should be consistency between values for nanomaterials and larger dusts of the same composition