Nanomaterials exposure

New guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) describes how to control occupational exposure to manufactured nanomaterials in the workplace.

The guidance helps employers understand what they need to do to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (as amended) when working with these substances. This guidance will also be useful for union health and safety representatives.

This guidance is specifically about the manufacture and manipulation of all manufactured nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other bio-persistent high aspect ratio nanomaterials (HARNs). It has been prepared in response to emerging evidence about the toxicity of these materials.

The control principles described can be applied to all nanomaterials used in the workplace. Any differences in the approach between control of CNTs and other bio-persistent HARNs to any other type of nanomaterials are highlighted.

The HSE’s nantoechology home page with links to publications is at: www.hse.gov.uk/nanotechnology/index.htm?eban=rss-nanotechnology