September 2, 2005—Safety, health and environmental professionals should develop safeguards to protect workers from nanoparticles that could enter their bloodstream or lungs, recommended American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) member Robert Adams, CIH, CSP, during a recent audio conference.
Nanoparticles are particles of materials the size of one-billionth of a meter, and at this level the physical, chemical and biological properties of matter can be engineered to create new products and applications such as water-repellant coatings and more-durable titanium cutting tools.
According to Adams, occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals in the nanotechnology industry should proactively develop safety practices to protect workers from nanoparticle exposure.
Adams is a manager in Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Technology at ENVIRON International Corporation, where he serves as team leader of their occupational safety and health nanotechnology initiative.
He recommended that SH&E professionals continue to utilize and improve upon safety and risk management programs in addition to providing necessary personal protective equipment and localized exhaust ventilation systems to reduce the build up of nanoparticles in the workplace.
For more on nanotechnology, visit the ASSE Web site.
