PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Assessing exposure to nanomaterials in industrial workplaces is a widespread challenge due to the high diversity of nanoparticle sources. These fall into 2 main categories:
- manufactured nanomaterials (MNM), which are intentionally designed and manufactured for specific purposes, and for this reason they have been widely studied
- incidental nanoparticles (INP), which are unintentionally released into workplace environments during different industrial activities, and therefore they remain unknown.
INP are generated in high-energy processes such as burning fuels, plasma cutting, welding, metal grinding and ceramic tile firing. These industrial processes are considered as permanent releasers of INP (up to several million nanoparticles/cm3), which may lead to chronic exposure and disease if these sources are not recognised and if control measures are omitted or not adequately designed.
Currently, the exposure assessment of INP faces several barriers.
- The scope of the legislative framework covers MNM (REACH, CLP and sectoral regulations for food, cosmetics and biocides), but does not consider INP. Only a set of non-binding recommendations referred to as Nanoreference Values and originally established for MNM are commonly applied to INP. PGNP concentrations in industrial settings range between 6*104 and >106 particles/cm3, while the Nanoreference Values recommended to INP set maximum thresholds of 4*104 particles/cm3. However, there is no regulation in place for the reduction of these INP concentrations.
- The absence of Risk Assessment Tools applicable to INP, although they have been developed for MNM under the REACH regulation. Research has highlighted the low correlation (<50%) between model estimates and actual observations for INP.
- The lack of targeted Risk Management Measures. The efficacy of personal protective equipment for nanomaterials has been widely studied, but in the case of engineering measures available data are often inconclusive, especially in industrial environments under real operating conditions.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE NANOHEALTH project was to reduce occupational exposure to INP from permanently releasing industrial processes by optimising the performance of Risk Management Measures in indoor exposure scenarios. The aim was to clearly define the levels of concentration and risks posed by INP generated in industrial processes, as well as develop models for simulating the dispersion of INP in indoor air and draw up engineering measures for minimising INP in industrial environments.
The project would contribute to meeting EU legislation on health and safety of workers regarding the risk of nanomaterials at work in a cost-effective way, providing policy makers, authorities, professionals and workers with a set of tools and technologies that will offer adequate solutions for addressing these risks.
RESULTS
The project developed a set of innovative solutions for the identification, assessment and reduction of exposure to (INP)in industrial environments. The core outcomes included:
- NanoHealth Tool (NHT): an innovative risk assessment application designed to promote a safer working environment
- NanoHealth Purifier (NHP): a device capable of creating microenvironments with reduced INP levels.
- NanoHealth Service (NHS): a comprehensive service that integrates technical diagnosis, on-site measurements, advanced modelling, and tailored corrective measures for each company, complemented by specialised training for workers and occupational health and safety managers.
The relevance of the NHT, NHP and NHS is threefold:
- environmental: contributing to improved air quality in industrial facilities by reducing nanoparticle emissions into the workplace and, indirectly, into the surrounding environment
- industrial, providing companies with practical tools to optimize production processes, comply with environmental and safety regulations, and move towards cleaner and more sustainable production
- occupational health, protecting workers from emerging risks associated with nanoparticle exposure, fostering safer and healthier workplaces.
Furthermore, a comprehensive literature review was carried out, along with all the experimental measurements and data compiled during the project implementation, contributing to enhancing and disseminating the knowledge base on occupational risks from indoor air pollution. The generated database provides relevant information for establishing Occupational Exposure Limits, supporting policy developments in this area.
