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

Summary…

• Disclaimers• The UK government position• HSE guidance• The British Standards Institute (BSI) document• The future and my opinions

www.SafeNano.org/

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.

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.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/nanotechnology/

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

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

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

The BSI Guide…

http://www.bsigroup.com/en/sectorsandservices/Forms/PD-6699-2/Download-PD6699-2-2007/

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

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

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

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