THE NANOTECHNOLOGIES: APPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW RISKS FOR THE HEALTH OF THE WORKERS

Abstract

Nanotechnology represents one of the emerging technologies used in recent years in a more or less widespread way in the world of research, study and work, and especially in the latter sector the risks associated with the production and use of nanomaterials are still largely unknown. To date, there is a substantial imbalance of knowledge between the application of nanotechnologies and their impact on health; the information currently available on the health effects and risk assessment of nanomaterials in the workplace is limited; systematic methodologies to assess exposure are not yet known and, given the intensive and highly diversified use of nanomaterials by industry in recent years, it is
difficult to estimate the number of workers exposed and the effects on their health.
It is well known that the research and development activity currently underway in the nanotech sector, both at public and private level, covers a wide spectrum of thematic areas such as chemistry and materials (structural and functional), nanoelectronics and photonics, bio(nano)sciences, medical and instrumentation.

The potential application effects concern fundamental productive sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and development of electromedical devices, to cosmetics, electronics and information technology, from transport to environment and energy, but also sectors that typically involve small and medium-sized enterprises, such as textiles and fashion, footwear, food, construction materials, advanced mechanics and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The healthcare sector is not exempt from being affected by nanotechnology as well, and this generally poses a greater risk for worker exposure to nanomaterials within its work and professional settings. Specifically, nanotechnology and nanomaterials in healthcare, with their
applications can certainly offer significant advantages, for example techniques and approaches of miniaturization through chemical synthesis and control of molecular assembly which represent indispensable opportunities in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, although there are still ongoing studies and research in this area, the field of nanotechnology is developing faster than the generation of knowledge on health and safety aspects of nanomaterials. Living and working environments, in fact, can be exposed during all stages of the entire production cycle of substances in nanoform: during production, transport and storage, or during use and disposal.
However, the lack of information on the behavior of nanomaterials in the environment makes it difficult to assess their risks in different sectors.
The present research work aims to explicate the areas of development of nanotechnologies, and to explain how workers might encounter nanomaterials in their workplaces when performing their daily activities.
There will be a focus on exposure from nanomaterials, on the assessment and management of potential risks of these new forms of materials, on the knowledge and / or study of the hazardous properties of substances in nanoform and their safe use with a view to verify how to currently try to contain the potentially harmful impacts on the environment and the health of workers and contribute to the implementation of the legislation of the sector although aware that the risk of exposure to nanomaterials is a toxicological issue still being explored by medical science.
The use of nanomaterials, in fact, may represent an emerging health and safety risk that must be assessed and managed through a specific approach, particularly within the complexity of work environments. Therefore, an attempt will be made to indicate the prevention and protection measures to reduce the impact on workers’ health and safety, also by referring to the relevant legislation and the precautionary principle.