Working Safely with Manufactured
Nanomaterials
Guidance for Workers

Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion
Working Safely with Manufactured Nanomaterials
Guidance for Workers

This publication is commissioned by the European Union Programme for Employment
and Social Solidarity - PROGRESS (2007-2013).
This programme is implemented by the European Commission. It was established tofinancially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in theemployment, social affairs and equal opportunities area, and thereby contribute to theachievement of the Europe 2020 Strategy goals in these fields.
The seven-year Programme targets all stakeholders who can help shape thedevelopment of appropriate and effective employment and social legislation andpolicies, across the EU-27, EFTA-EEA and EU candidate and pre-candidate countries.
For more information see: http://ec.europa.eu/progress
PROGRESS mission is to strengthen the EU contribution in support of Member States'
commitment. PROGRESS will be instrumental in:• providing analysis and policy advice on PROGRESS policy areas;• monitoring and reporting on the implementation of EU legislation and policies in
PROGRESS policy areas;• promoting policy transfer, learning and support among Member States on EU
objectives and priorities; and• relaying the views of the stakeholders and society at large.

The development of this document has been led by Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd, UK,with assistance of experts from IVAM Research and Consultancy on Sustainability, UvA
Amsterdam, NL, Denehurst Chemical Safety Ltd., UK and Cranfield University.

Document completed November 2014
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Acknowledgments
This Guidance draws on a number of existing information sources and the advice ofEuropean organisations and experts which was provided continuously during its
development. This assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

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Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion
Working Safely with Manufactured Nanomaterials
Guidance for Workers

What are nanomaterials and nano-enabled products?
The term ‘nanomaterial’ is used generally to describe a material that has at least one
dimension smaller than 100 nanometres (nm). To put this into perspective, a humanhair or a sheet of paper are approximately 100,000 nm thick (Figure 1). Various
definitions have been proposed to define a ‘nanomaterial’, with that most widely
applicable in Europe being the European Commission Recommendation 2011/696/EU.
Nanomaterials occur in nature, may be inadvertently generated during industrial
processing or combustion (i.e. process generated nano particles, PGNP) or are
specifically produced to make use of the properties they possess when in a ‘nano’
form.
This latter group comprises the so called manufactured (or engineered)nanomaterials (MNM) which may in turn be used to produce ‘nano-enabled products’
showing enhanced functionality.
While several substances that have been used in large quantities by industry for
decades are now considered to fall within the European Union’s definition of ananomaterial, there is a rapidly expanding range of other MNMs that are moving fromthe research and development stage in laboratories to larger scale applications inindustry and use in consumer products.
For example, the range of European
industries using MNMs now include sectors as diverse as agriculture, electronics,
medicines and medical technology, construction, automotive production, textiles, foodprocessing and cosmetics.

Figure 1: Nanoparticles on a human hair (Photograph courtesy of Prof R Dorey, Cranfield University)
This guidance is specifically intended to provide employees working with MNM andnano-enabled products with an introduction to the issues surrounding - andapproaches to working safely with MNMs. A more technically-focused companion
guidance (intended to assist employers and Health and Safety Managers when they
are undertaking risk assessment and deciding on risk management needs) is also
freely available and may be of interest to employees who wish to learn more on this
topic.

What is the basis for current
manufactured nanomaterials ?

concerns

about

The reason why manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) are of such interest to industry
and offer potentially significant benefits to society is that they sometimes possess very
different properties to the same substances when in the macro scale – for example,

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Guidance for Workers

they may potentially be more reactive or have increased strength. However, thesesame differences mean that they may potentially interact differently with biologicalsystems, for example they may be more readily absorbed or pass more readily acrossthe body’s physiological barriers.
Concerns have been identified about the possible hazards which nanomaterials may
present because of their different physicochemical properties and the different ways
they may interact with the bodies of humans and animals (see Box 1).

Box 1. Nature of Concerns about Nanomaterials
Physical Hazards: At the nano-scale materials may show different physicochemical
properties than their macro form. For example, they may have significantly lower
melting point or phase transition temperature, show altered electrical conductivity
and magnetic properties and/or differences in chemical reactivity. Such properties
may potentially result in an altered hazard profile. Physicochemical changes ofparticular concern include potential increase in flammability, self-heating propertiesand dust explosivity. While carbon-based or metallic materials are most likely topossess these qualities, others could pose unexpected physical hazards.
Human Health: Nanoparticles may interact with biological systems differently fromlarger particles of the same material. For example, nanoparticles may show altered
rates of absorption into the body through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact and,once absorbed, may reach parts of the body that larger particles are unable to. Also,
the same mass of nanoparticles will have a very much higher surface area that anequal mass of a macro form with the same chemical composition and crystalline
structure; this larger surface area may be reflected in increased biological reactivity
resulting in, for a given mass, the nanoparticle form appearing to show a greater
toxic dose-response. The toxicity shown by a nanoparticle may also be influenced by
the presence of surface coatings or the materials tendency to from agglomerations.
Currently, there is uncertainty as to the extent to which the various characteristics ofnanoparticles influence toxicity. Research has suggested that in some cases thephysical properties of a nanomaterial (e.g. size, shape, crystal structure, surface
coating, surface reactivity) may be important in determining the nature and extent of
toxicity. Particular concern has focussed on the potential consequences of inhalationof some types of nanomaterials – particularly those of fibre-like shape and/or
showing persistence and poor solubility in biological fluids. There is also concern that
inhaled nanoparticles may be very readily absorbed through the lungs andtransported to other parts of the body where they could potentially cause a toxic
effect. Skin contact with nanomaterials could also lead to adverse consequences.
However, available evidence suggests that nanomaterials are not generally expected
to be absorbed across healthy skin but, in the absence of data about the specificnanomaterial being handled, good occupational hygiene practice should always beobserved to minimise skin contact. Oral ingestion is not generally a concern in theworkplace. However, ingestion of nanomaterials could occur if good occupational
hygiene practice was not observed (i.e. it is important to change clothes and handwash before eating). It is also possible that nanomaterials could be ingested as aresult of inhaled particles being swallowed during the body’s natural clearing
processes from the nose, throat and lungs.
Environment: It is possible that, in a manner similar to that seen in humans,
nanomaterials may interact with other organisms present in the wider environment inways that larger particles do not. Differences in the ability of nanomaterials to movethrough the environment may also result in the exposure of different organisms thanoccurs with macro forms of the substance. In addition, their persistence in theenvironment may differ from that of macro forms.
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Guidance for Workers

Although some have queried if the existing European worker health and safety
regulatory system is adequate to ensure the safe management of the potential risks
that may be associated with the use or presence of nanomaterials in the workplace, an
extensive review of work-related legislation concluded that, in general, the existing
regulatory system applies to nanomaterials. Nonetheless, with support from theEuropean Commission, in order to provide further assistance to employers and theirworkforces, this and other focused guidance documents have been made available atthe European level to address issues that may be raised by the presence of
nanomaterials in the workplace. Other guidance materials have also been producedby various bodies including some Member States, examples of which are identified at
the end of this document.

Do I need to treat all manufactured nanomaterials as
special cases?
The reason why particular care is necessary when working with MNMs is that some but not all - nanomaterials may show different properties to what would be predictedbased on a chemically-identical substance in the form of larger (macro) particles (seeBox 1).
Given the newness of much of the nanotechnology field, it is not yet possible to lay
down detailed systematic rules by which one should identify and fully characterise all
the potential hazards that might be posed by MNMs.
Hence, it is particularly
important that each nanomaterial that is manufactured or used by a company is wellcharacterised as part of a workplace risk assessment exercise using, where possible, acase-by-case approach. A similar case-by-case approach is also needed to define
what are the appropriate risk management measures that need to be implemented, so
as to ensure that the risk management measures fully guard against all potential
hazards so that the nanomaterial can be used safely. This is particularly the case for
manufactured nanomaterials that may be produced by more than one process (e.g.
carbon nanotubes) since the different production processes may result in notionallythe same material but that can exhibit different properties. Overall, in the light of thescientific uncertainties, it is strongly advised that a precautionary approach isadopted when using nanomaterials.

Consequently, employers should consider each manufactured nanomaterial used on, where
possible, a case-by-case basis to establish what are the appropriate risk management
requirements. It is equally important that all workers ensure they fully understand and comply
with the risk management measures established for each procedure or task that may bring
employees into contact with a manufactured nanomaterial or nano-enabled product.
Where a substance in any form is classified under CLP as hazardous or where it has been
identified as having hazardous properties that indicate it should be so classified, namely according
to the definition of a 'hazardous chemical agent' as per art. 2 (b) (iii) of the Chemical Agents Directive
98/24/EC (CAD), or if the substance has an established Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL), then if

used in a nano-form, your employer should ensure that – as the minimum requirement – all risk
reduction measures appropriate for the classification or that are necessary to achieve the OEL are
in place. Where using the substance in nano-form, however, the employer should, where
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Guidance for Workers

if it is appropriate or not to introduce even more stringent risk management measures to address
any uncertainties regarding nanomaterial-specific properties.

How can I tell if I am using nanomaterials or nanoenabled products, and how may I be exposed?
Some products advertise that they contain nanomaterials as this may offer a technicalor commercial advantage but for some other products manufacturers might not want
to openly advertise this, either for confidentiality reasons or, potentially, to avoid
raising public concern. It can therefore be difficult to tell with certainty if a particular
substance or product contains nano-forms.
In order to establish if there arenanomaterials present, you should look for information on the product labels, in thesafety data sheets and in the technical specifications. These may identify whether one
or more nanomaterials are present (e.g. in some industrial sectors, inclusion of
specific labelling is now required in Europe by legislation) but in other cases suchchecks may not clearly establish the material’s status. If you still have concerns thatthe material or product may contain nano-forms but there is no labelling to confirm
this, ask your safety manager or safety representative. In such circumstances, theyshould be able to either advise you directly or seek confirmation from the supplier
whether or not nanomaterials are present. You can also look for information on theInternet (see final section of Guidance).
In the workplace you may be exposed to a chemical (in nanoform or not) through:

inhalation (breathing the substance in);

dermal absorption (contact with the skin), or

ingestion (swallowing).

Inhalation can occur when solid particles become airborne or when mist particles are
generated from liquids, for example during the spraying of products. Nanoparticles
are not normally released when bound to a surface as part of a coating. However, if
you were to cut, abrade or grind a treated surface, this might release freenanoparticles. Skin contact can occur when handling a powder, suspension or liquid,or when exposed to a dusty atmosphere or mists containing nanoparticles. Ingestion
may occur if you do not follow good personal hygiene and safety practice rules (suchas washing hands with soap and water before taking a work-break or at the end of theworkday) or as a result of wearing personal protective clothing outside of work areas.

What actions are necessary to enable safe working
with manufactured nanomaterials and nano-enabled
products?
As previously stated, nanomaterials are not covered by a specific regulation(s) but are
all subject to the same EU and national legislation that deals with working safely withconventional chemicals and mixtures. In addition the European Commission has

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Guidance for Workers

clearly stated that it is necessary to assess the risks posed
nanomaterials, where possible, on a case-by-case basis.

by individual

Therefore your employer should have undertaken a specific risk assessment on eachnanomaterial present in the workplace, so as to establish what risk management
measures are necessary for the various activities you undertake in the workplace.
In designing control measures, a hierarchy of options (Box 2) will have been
considered, with the appropriate measures being selected based on the risk
assessment outcome.
Some examples of the commonly used risk management measures are given in Box 3.

Box 2. Hierarchy of Risk Management Controls Options
Isolate or Enclose
Operations which involve the likely release of MNMs into the air should be performed incontained installations or in facilities that can be operated remotely from a protectedarea
Engineering Control
Processes where there is a potential for creating dusts or aerosols of MNMs should be
carried out in areas with efficient local exhaust or extraction ventilation.
Wet cutting is recommended for cutting solid articles (e.g. nano-enabled products)
containing MNMs.
Administrative Control
Working procedures and staff assignment to tasks should be developed so as to ensure
safe handling of MNMs;
Adequate training and information should be provided to individual workers;. An Emergency Management Plan should be established.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)PPE should be regarded as a ‘last resort’ control measure or a supplemental option to be
used in conjunction with other measures.

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Guidance for Workers

Box 3 Typical Risk Management Measures used with Manufactured
Nanomaterials
Technical measures:
If MNMs have a tendency to become airborne, try to work in containment wherever
possible such as using a fume hood or glove-box or local exhaust ventilation;
Where used, ventilation systems should use HEPA-filters and be regularly maintained
and serviced;
On construction sites, optimum use should be made of natural ventilation (by opening
doors and windows and minimising any shielding of the work place, etc.);
If working in the open air, try to position potentially MNM-generating activities
downwind;
Unintentional dispersion of MNMs after use may be prevented by fixing them in a resin,liquid, etc.;
MNMs should be disposed of as Chemical Waste;
Organisational measures:
There should be a specially trained employee in the company with advanced
knowledge on how to handle MNM safely;
Workers using MNM should expect to be provided with adequate instruction andinformation on working safely with MNMs;
The number of different handlings per material/product should be minimised;
Work places involving the use of MNMs should be shielded from other areas wherever
possible and access limited to staff specifically trained in the safe handling of
nanomaterials;
Personal protective measures:If you are working with MNM, your employer should provide you with clear user
instructions on the safe and proper use of the personal protective equipment prescribed;
Disposable gloves (preferably non-woven) should be used (examples include nitrile,
latex and neoprene gloves);
Safety goggles should always be used during activities where dispersion of a MNM is
possible;
Protective clothing (preferably non-woven, e.g. made of Tyvek) should be used;
Where use of a respirator is necessary, this should be of at least FFP3-respiratory
grade (with a NPF of 30 or higher).

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Guidance for Workers

Further information sources
Any guidance on nanomaterials should be regarded as a ‘living document’ as it
represents the knowledge of nanomaterials and understanding of health and safetyissues pertaining to them at the time of drafting; this particular Guidance was 1stdrafted in June 2013.
Since nanotechnology is a rapidly evolving area and novel forms are increasingly
entering the workplace, our knowledge of the properties and characteristics ofparticular nanomaterials and the extent to which these may be a cause of potential
concern to humans and the wider environment, is constantly evolving. Hence, it isimportant that both employers and employees seek to keep up-to-date in this field,
particularly with regard to what constitutes best practice to ensure occupational healthand safety.
Additional Guidance Materials have also been published by individual European States;
examples are listed below:

Austria
AGES (undated): Österreichisches NanoInformationsPortal "nanoinformation".
Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH., Austria.
Available at Internet site http://nanoinformation.at/arbeitswelt.html.
AUVA (undated): Merkblatt M 310 Nanotechnologien - Arbeits- undGesundheitsschutz. Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt, Austria. Available at
Internet site
http://www.auva.at/portal27/portal/auvaportal/start/startWindow?action=2&p_menui
d=15&p_tabid=1
Bundesministerium für Arbeit (2010): Leitfaden für das Risikomanagement beim
Umgang mit Nanomaterialien am Arbeitsplatz. Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales
und Konsumentenschutz, Zentral-Arbeitsinspektorat, Wien, Austria.

Denmark
Depa (2011): NanoRiskCat (NRC) - A Conceptual Decision Support Tool for
Nanomaterials. Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA), Denmark. Available
at Internet site http://www.mst.dk/Publikationer/Publications/2011/12/978-8792779-11-3.htm

FranceANSES (2008): Development of a specific Control Banding Tool for Nanomaterials.
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, France.
Available at Internet site http://www.anses.fr/fr
INRS (undated): Nanomaterials: definitions, toxicological risk, characterisation ofoccupational exposure and prevention measures. Institut national de recherche et deNovember 20149

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sécurité, France. Available at Internet site http://en.inrs.fr/inrspub/inrs01.nsf/IntranetObjectaccesParReference/Breve%20Occupational%20Risks%20Associated%20to%20Nanomaterials%20EN/$File/print.html
INRS (2012): Recommendations for characterizing potential emissions and exposure
to aerosols released from nanomaterials in workplace operations. Institut national derecherche et de sécurité, France. Available at Internet site http://www.hst.fr/inrspub/inrs01.nsf/IntranetObject-accesParReference/HST_ND%202355/$File/ND2355.pdf
INRS (2012): Nanomaterials. Risk prevention in laboratories. Institut national derecherche et de sécurité, France. Available at Internet site
http://www.inrs.fr/accueil/dms/inrs/CataloguePapier/ED/TI-ED-6115/ed6115.pdf
INRS (2011): Nanomaterials. Air filtration and protection of employees. Institut
national de recherche et de sécurité, France. Available at Internet site
http://www.inrs.fr/accueil/dms/inrs/CataloguePapier/ED/TI-ED-138/ed138.pdf

Germany
BauA/VCI (2012): Empfehlung für die Gefährdungsbeurteilung bei Tätigkeiten mit
Nanomaterialien am Arbeitsplatz. Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin(BAuA) / Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. (VCI), Germany. Available at
Internet site:
http://www.baua.de/de/Publikationen/Fachbeitraege/Gd4.html;jsessionid=DD88F6A90
D67E05F1DB49896C57C96E9.1_cid380.
BGI/GUV (2011):
Sicheres Arbeiten in Laboratorien Grundlagen und
Handlungshilfen.
BG Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie. Arbeitskreis Laboratorien, Fachausschuss
Chemie, DGUV & Ausschuss für Gefahrstoffe. Available at Internet site http://bgi8500.vur.jedermann.de/index.jsp.
BMAS (2013): Hergestellte Nanomaterialien. Bekanntmachungen zu Gefahrstoffen(BekGS 527). Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales. Available at Internet site
http://www.baua.de/de/Themen-von-A-Z/Gefahrstoffe/TRGS/Bekanntmachung527.html

Italy
INAIL (2011): Exposure to engineered nanomaterials and occupational health andsafety effects. Department of Occupational Medicine, Italian National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Prevention, Italy. Available at Internet site:www.ispesl.it/nanotecnologie/documenti/WB_NANO_network.pdf.

The Netherlands
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft):
Nanosafety Guidelines

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Guidance for Workers

Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment:
Guidance working safely with nanomaterials and nanoproducts, the guide for
employers and employees (PDF-Datei, 654 KB)
Stoffenmanager Nano Modul
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM):
Nanotechnology Workplace
Provisional nano-reference values: Applicability of the concept and of publishedmethods
Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER):
Advisory report "Nanoparticles in the Workplace: Health and Safety Precautions"SwedenArbetsmiljöverket (2011): Carbon nanotubes - Exposure, toxicology and protective
measures in the work environment. Arbetsmiljöverket, Sweden. Available at Internet
site www.av.se/publikationer/rapporter/

Switzerland
Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG):
InfoNano
Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG) und Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU):
Vorsorgeraster synthetische Nanomaterialien
Innovationsgesellschaft mbH St. Gallen und TÜV SÜD:
CENARIOS® - Zertifizierbares Risikomanagement- und Monitoringsystem für die
Nanotechnologie - Faktenblatt (PDF-Datei, 271 KB)
Interessengemeinschaft Detailhandel Schweiz (IG DHS) in Zusammenarbeit
mit der Innovationsgesellschaft:
Code of Conduct Nanotechnologien
Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt (SUVA):
Nanopartikel an Arbeitsplätzen
Grenzwerte am Arbeitsplatz 2013 (PDF-Datei, 1 MB)(siehe Kapitel 1.8.3 Nanopartikel und ultrafeine Partikel)
Factsheet "Nanopartikel und ultrafeine Partikel am Arbeitsplatz" (2012) (PDF-Datei,
101 KB)
Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO):
Sicherheitsdatenblatt (SDB): Leitfaden für synthetische Nanomaterialien (2012)
Textilverband Schweiz (TVS) und Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- undForschungsanstalt (Empa):
Projekt "NanoSafe Textiles"
Leitfaden nano textiles (PDF-Datei, 3 MB)

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Nanomaterialien in Textilien - Umwelt-, Gesundheits- und Sicherheits-Aspekte (PDFDatei, 1 MB)

UK
HSE (2013): Using Nanomaterials at work. Health and Safety Execuutive, UK.
Available at Internet site http://www.hse.gov.uk/nanotechnology/publications.htm.

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Key points to note regarding the use of nanomaterials
in the workplace
What are nanomaterials?

Nanomaterials are materials with one or more dimensions below 100 nanometers(i.e. less than a thousandth the width of a human hair);NMs occur naturally, can be generated during processing or combustion or may bedeliberately manufactured (the so called manufactured or engineered
nanomaterials);
The focus of this guidance are manufactured nanomaterials and the use of products
containing them.

What are the concerns about manufactured nanomaterials?







Some nanomaterials may have properties that differ from the same material whenin conventional form;
These differences may result in altered physicochemical risks (e.g. flammability,
explosivity) or increase uncertainties regarding the extent of potential healtheffects;
Though some nanomaterials have been used safely for decades, othermanufactured forms are new and have characteristics that are not yet fully defined.
In nano-enabled products, the nanomaterials are normally bound within a matrix sothere is no risk of exposure. However, if cut, abraded or ground, this might release
free nanoparticles.

Are manufactured nanomaterials safe to use in the workplace?



Since materials in nanoform may show properties different from when inconventional form, there is a need to consider if occupational health and safety(OSH) measures are adequately protective;
Hence, your employer should undertake a specific risk assessment on eachnanomaterial present in the workplace to establish what risk management
measures are necessary;
Various control measures are appropriate when working with nanomaterials – theseare described in this document.

IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN IF NANOMATERIALS ARE USEDIN YOUR WORKPLACE OR UNSURE WHATOCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES AREREQUIRED, ASK YOUR SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE OR
EMPLOYER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION!

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