Up-to-now, there are no European occupational exposure limits in place. However, the establishment of such values is an ongoing process. So far, health and safety measures for the handling of nanomaterials are based on the precautionary principle of existing knowledge derived from safety measures for handling chemicals. This includes in particular the avoidance of contact with the particles (exposure) and the use of personal protective equipment (for example, respiratory protection, protective gloves).
In Germany, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) is dealing with the topic of nanosafety at the workplace; in Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has created a precautionary matrix for synthetic nanomaterials.
Links:
- German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) – Nanotechnology
- Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) – Precautionary Matrix for Synthetic Nanomaterials
- Brochure “Safe handling of nano materials and other advanced materials at workplaces” (2015)
- European Precautionary Principle (last update 21.09.2015)
