DOSSIER: Nanoparticles
The risk from nanoparticles and nanomaterials is today clearly identified and highlighted by national safety agencies (ANSES in France). Employers cannot ignore it.
At the same time, nanotechnology is a great source of potential for innovation and it would be a shame not to explore it, as long as the risks can be controlled.
The diversity of nanoparticles and nanomaterials and the lack of knowledge about their toxicity are such that it is difficult to assess their danger. Currently, the only method is to control exposure. To achieve that, we must begin by knowing them and measuring them. This is what PARTICLEVER and its new technology makes a reality.
The identification of substances in a nanoparticulate state has progressed in leaps and bounds thanks to government-required declarations, making it easier to identify exposure situations.
The nanoparticulate properties of substances are increasingly better identified following the implementation of a mandatory declaration system (R-nano in France). Exposure situations are therefore easier to identify.
The purpose of PARTICLEVER is to help businesses and laboratories manage nanoparticle exposure issues and to improve and then control them.
Making a basic assessment means taking a position relative to existing standards (see “Comparison to limit values”) and applying risk management that is compliant with international practice.
