You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Potential Risk Assessment in Occupational Exposure to Highly Dispersive Materials

Potential Risk Assessment in Occupational Exposure to Highly Dispersive Materials

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.20, No 3, 2024

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2024.03.176

Potential Risk Assessment in Occupational Exposure to Highly Dispersive Materials

Beliuha O.G. 1), Demetska O.V. 2), Movchan V.O. 1), Balia A.H. 3)

1)SI "Kundiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", Kyiv, Ukraine

2)Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

3)College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America

Full article (PDF): UKR

Introduction. The increasing use of nanotechnology spans multiple sectors, including industry and agriculture, where it is applied in fertilizers, aquaculture, irrigation, water filtration, animal feed, vaccines, and food processing and packaging. However, as these applications expand, the assessment of potential risks and the development of safety standards remain critical and require continual attention.

The purpose of research. This study aims to evaluate the potential risk to individuals with occupational exposure to highly dispersed materials and nanomaterials by employing an adapted "control banding" approach, and to propose appropriate control measures for risk management.

Materials and methods of research. The study utilized the "control banding" approach as outlined in ISO/TS 12901-2:2014 "Nanotechnologies — Occupational Risk Management Applied to Engineered Nanomaterials, Part 2: Use of the Control Banding Approach", to assess the potential occupational risk associated with exposure to highly dispersed materials and nanomaterials.

Results. The roles of an operator of an electron-beam installation and an operator of a planetary mill involved in nanopowder production were identified as having a very high potential risk. These tasks necessitate the implementation of stringent administrative and engineering controls. In contrast, workers engaged in the production of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers face medium and high risks, respectively.

Conclusions. The "control banding" approach is a valuable tool for assessing and managing occupational risks associated with highly dispersed materials and nanomaterials. To enhance risk management, it is essential to obtain precise data on the toxicity of materials and the level of exposure among workers handling aerosols and nanomaterials in the workplace.

Keywords: highly dispersed materials, nanomaterials, aerosols, workplace air, potential risk

References

  1. Malik S, Muhammad K, Waheed Y. Nanotechnology: A Revolution in Modern Industry. Molecules. 2023;28(2):661. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020661
  2. Silva GA. Introduction to nanotechnology and its applications to medicine. Surg Neurol. 2004;61(3):216-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surneu.2003.09.036
  3. Kumari R, Suman K, Karmakar S, Mishra V, Lakra SG, Saurav GK, Mahto BK. Regulation and safety measures for nanotechnology-based agri-products. Front Genome Ed. 2023;5:1200987. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgeed.2023.1200987
  4. Macko M, Antoš J, Božek F, Konečný J, Huzlík J, Hegrová J, Kuřitka I. Development of New Health Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles: EPA Health Risk Assessment Revised. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2022;13(1):20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010020
  5. ISO/TS 12901-2:2014 «Nanotechnologies — Occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterialsPart 2: Use of the control banding approach».
  6. Ramos D, Almeida L. Managing Nanomaterials in the Workplace by Using the Control Banding Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(11):6011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20116011
  7. Sietsema M, Radonovich L, Hearl FJ, Fisher EM, Brosseau LM, Shaffer RE, Koonin LM. A Control Banding Framework for Protecting the US Workforce from Aerosol Transmissible Infectious Disease Outbreaks with High Public Health Consequences. Health Secur. 2019;17(2):124-132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2018.0103
  8. Brouwer DH. Control banding approaches for nanomaterials. Ann Occup Hyg. 2012;56(5):506-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mes039
  9. Aachimi A, Marc F, Bonvallot N, Clerc F. A control banding method for chemical risk assessment in occupational settings in France. Front Public Health. 2023 Dec 13;11:1282668. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1282668
  10. Zalk DM, Nelson DI. History and evolution of control banding: a review. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2008;5(5):330-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15459620801997916
  11. Halbach JH, Cala JM, Paik SY, Zalk DM. Control Banding and the Global Rise of Qualitative Risk Assessment Strategies. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2023;10(4):410-416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-023-00416-5
  12. Yin J, Su X, Yan S, Shen J. Multifunctional Nanoparticles and Nanopesticides in Agricultural Application. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023;13(7):1255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071255
  13. Dimkpa CO, Bindraban PS. Nanofertilizers: New Products for the Industry? J Agric Food Chem. 2018;66(26):6462-6473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b02150