Working and living with nanotechnologies – European NanoCap conference
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On 2 April 2009, European Trade Unions and Environmental NGOs presented their positions on nanotechnologies at the European Parliament. In subsequent panel discussions these positions were submitted to an exchange of opinions with Members of European Parliament, representatives from the European Commission, industry, consumer associations, and the scientific community. The discussions mainly focused on options for European policies and priorities for the responsible development of nanotechnologies, especially regarding environmental and workplace safety. The conference gathered 250 participants from 32 countries in Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa.
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- The organizers
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The rapid pace of nanotechnology development has sparked fierce debate in recent years around the risks and benefits to society of extremely small technologies. While nanometre-scale structures have not yet progressed much beyond the test tube stage, some industrial applications have already developed in areas like advanced medical technologies, and even consumer goods like paint and sun lotions. |
While nanotechnologies may bring major benefits to society, they also raise many concerns about the potential risks posed to our health and the environment.
The tragedy of asbestos, a microscopic mineral fibre whose “miracle” properties were once also hailed by industry and some scientists, taught labour unions to be wary of substances invisible to the unaided human eye. The health consequences for workers who handle nanomaterials are still shrouded in unknowns.
The ETUI Health and Safety Department has since September 2006 been involved in the NANOCAP project, which also includes universities, environmental protection NGOs and trade unions from several European countries. The aim is to expand our knowledge of nanotechnologies and what their rapid development will mean for society. The NANOCAP partners also aim to push industry and the scientific community to make risk management central to nanotechnology development and marketing.
Related documents
- Understanding public debate on nanotechnologies. Options for framing public policy
A Report from the European Commission Services
This publication presents the European trade union and environmental NGO positions in the debate on nanotechnologies, generated by the NanoCap capacity building project. This project was to enable the structured enhancement of stakeholder capacities to understand and critically assess nanotechnologies. |
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What are nanotechnologies?
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Nanotechnology refers to the study and fabrication of materials and devices on a nanometre scale (nm), a billionth of a metre in size. These materials, known as nanomaterials, are made up of nanoparticles under 100 nm in size. For comparison, the average human hair has a diameter of 80 000 nm. Their small size endows these nanoscale materials with singular properties. They have a much bigger surface area to volume ratio than more macroscale materials; this can give them a higher chemical reactivity and influence their electrical or mechanical properties. Also, quantum mechanical effects may become dominant in the behaviour of materials reduced to nanosize, altering their optical, electrical and magnetic properties.
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Nanotechnologies and workers' health
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Nanotechnologies are rapidly expanding in different industrial sectors such as pharmacy, microchips and chemical industry, which means that the number of workers exposed to nanomaterials is likely to rise sharply in the coming years. But their impact on health and safety at work is hard to predict as yet. While much effort is being put into the development and marketing of nanomaterials, research into the potential risks of these products to workers is still in its infancy. Relatively little is known about their toxic effects.
Available data, however, suggest that some nanomaterials can cross the different protection barriers, spread throughout the body and accumulate in different organs. Toxic effects have already been reported in the lungs, heart, reproductive system, kidneys, skin and cells. The most likely exposure pathways in workplaces are through the lungs and skin.
The reported toxic effects in animals and the physico-chemical characteristics of nanomaterials are good reasons for adopting a precautionary approach and, starting now, taking all appropriate steps to limit exposure and protect the health of potentially exposed workers.
In these conditions, establishing strict preventive procedures is the only way to protect the researchers and students engaged in developing these materials, and workers involved in synthesising, processing or using nanomaterials, against developing occupational diseases.
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Described in some quarters as “driving the next industrial revolution”, nanotechnologies have considerable potential for development and applications, especially in the biotechnologies, materials, communication and information technologies. The governments of industrialised countries have clearly grasped this. Public spending on nanotechnologies in the United States and Europe is rising steadily year over year. The European Union has decided to plough 3.5 billion euros into nanotechnology research between 2007 and 2013. Then, there is private investment. The most frequently-cited estimate puts the world market in nanotechnologies rising to $1 000 billion by 2015.
In terms of new jobs, it is estimated that 2 million workers will be needed between now and 2015, mostly working in start-ups and SMEs.
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The European Union and nanotechnologies
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The Commission has published a report following its public consultation on the “Strategic Nanotechnology Action Plan” for 2010-2015. The objective of this public consultation was to invite views on the needs in nanotechnology in the next five years, as perceived by experts active in the field and by the public at large.
On 17 June 2008, the Commission adopted a Communication on regulatory aspects of nanomaterials. Based on a regulatory review of EU legislation in relevant sectors, it concluded that the potential health, safety and environmental risks in relation to nanomaterials are "in principle" covered under current EU laws on chemicals, health and safety of workers, different product safety requirements and the environment. However, the EU executive stated that current legislation may have to be modified "for example as regards thresholds used in some legislation," leaving the door open to possible amendments to REACH.
COM(2008) 366 final
Commission staff working paper accompanying document to Commission Communication on regulatory aspects of nanomaterials
SEC(2008) 2036
On 7 February 2008, the Commission adopted a recommendation on a code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research. Based around 7 general principles covering issues such as sustainability, precaution, inclusiveness and accountability, the Code of Conduct invites Member States to take concrete action, involving universities, research institutes and companies, for the safe development and use of nanotechnologies.
C(2008) 424 final
In May 2004, the European Commission adopted its Communication “Towards a European strategy for Nanotechnology”, setting the aim of strengthening European research and development in nanotechnologies while addressing societal, public health, and environmental protection concerns.
The Commission went a step further in June 2005 by adopting an action plan on nanosciences and nanotechnologies for the period 2005-2009. The plan requires the carrying out of risk assessments related to human health, the environment, consumers and workers at all stages of the lifecycle of the technology (conception, manufacture, distribution, use, recycling).
In March 2006, the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), a scientific advisory body set up in 2004 by the Commission, gave an opinion on existing risk assessment methods for nanotechnology products.
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Material on carbon nanotubes
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Material on health and safety
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- The White Book on occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials
The ISPESL Contribution to sustainable and responsible nanotechnology in Italy, 2010
- Comparison of dust released from sanding conventional and nanoparticle-doped wall and wood coatings
Ismo Kalevi Koponen, Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 2010
- Evaluation of the hazard and exposure associated with nanosilver and other nanometal pesticide products
Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA), 2010
- Ten things everyone should know about nanotechnology safety
Andrew Maynard, conclusion of the 4th International Conference on Nanotechnology – Occupational and Environmental Health, August 2009
- Engineered nanoparticles: review of health and environmental safety
Report of the result of an international collaborative review, 2009
- Nanomaterial and occupational safety
David Vernez, Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l'environnement et du travail (Afsset), 2009
- Workplace exposure to nanoparticles
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2009
- Oversight of next generation nanotechnology
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC, 2009
- Health effects of nanoparticles
Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), 2008
- Safe nanotechnology in the workplace. An introduction for employers, managers, and safety and health professionals
NIOSH, 2008
- Evaluation and control of occupational health risks from nanoparticles
Thomas Schneider et al., TemaNord, 2007
- Legal appraisal of nano technologies. Existing legal framework, the need for regulation and regulative options at a European and a national level
Öko-Institut, Society for Institutional Analysis, December 2006
- Safe handling of nanotechnology
Nature, 15 November 2006
- The potential risks of nanomaterials: a review carried out for ECETOC
Particle and Fibre Toxicology, vol. 3, no 11, 2006
- Review of safety practices in the nanotechnology industry. Phase one report: current knowledge and practices regarding environmental health and safety in the nanotechnology workplace
University of California, October 2006
- Nanotech raises worker-safety questions
Washington Post, April 8, 2006
- Imaging nanotechnology: cultural support for technological innovation in Europe and the United States
Public Understanding of Science, 2005
- Report of the OECD workshop on the safety of manufactured nanomaterials
Washington D.C., United States, 7th-9th December 2005
- Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties, summary and recommendations
The Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, London, 2004
- ASECO opinion on nanotechnology
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Other documents - European Union
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