Control Banding: a qualitative tool for risk assessment and control of nanoparticle exposures

Nanotechnology due to its specifice attributes not only able to produce great promises but able to face workforce with unknown and unusual health and safety risks. However, very limited toxicity data, no occupational exposure limits (OELs), and no standard measurement method have been raised real challenges for doing risk assessment of nanomaterials to protect exposed worker’s health. In the present context, control banding (CB) approach as a qualitative risk assessment tool is offered for assessing nano-related health hazards. Variations of control banding models required, as it is imposible for one generic model to fit all needs in diferent nano-related operations. These models based on the severity and probability of exposure to nanomaterial and using a risk matrix can determine level of risk and corresponding controls. Application of an adopted CB titled CB Nanotool in some occupational settings revealed that this approach may be particularly useful in nanotechnology providing uncertainties and Characteristics of nanomaterials including surface chemistry, solubility, particle shape and diameter, and level of dustiness/mistiness that migth lead to toxicity are considered. Here, introdusing this approach may be assist occupational settings of nanotechnology and legal authorities to do risk assessment and regulate related issues respectively also develop more adopted CB Nanotools based on existing CB concept

Keywords:

Nanotechnology , Nanoparticles , Health Hazards , Risk Assessment , Control Banding (CB) , Workplaces