Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Horizon scanning
Nanotechnology is a word used to describe a wide variety of different technologies and materials that share one thing in common - their very small size. Because of the wide range of technologies it is more correct to refer to the field of nanotechnologies.
Nanotechnologies involve materials and structures that have at least one dimension of less than 100 nm (a human hair is about 80,000nm wide). Particles with dimensions in the nanometre region have been produced as a by-product of many long standing processes, such as fires, diesel engines and high energy manufacturing processing such as welding or grinding. In nanotechnologies overall dimension and/or specific structural features are specifically controlled to either exploit novel quantum based characteristics or to create more functionality in a smaller volume than was previously possible.
HSE is interested because these new technologies will be used in British workplaces and the health and safety implications of working with materials of this scale have yet to be fully explored. HSE wishes to interact with those developing and using these new technologies to ensure that the knowledge of any potential health and safety implications develops at the same time as nanotechnologies are commercialised.
HSE has taken an oversight on nanotechnology in relation to workplace health and safety over the last three years. It has critically reviewed the available information on physicochemical and toxicological hazards of nanomaterials of relevance to the workplace and the occupational exposure situation. Overall, given the paucity of information available and the concerns raised by some of the data that do exist, a cautious approach to risk management has been recommended in an information note by HSE aimed at researchers and developers potentially exposed to nanomaterials.
In July 2009, The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) launched a website to gather information on nanotechnologies. The website gathered views on core issues including research, regulation, innovation and commercialism, measurement and standards as well as the anticipated impact of nanotechnologies on a wide range of sectors. The evidence gathering has now ended and the results can be seen at http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/nano/ The results will inform the development of a new UK Nanotechnologies Strategy due to be published March 2010
The HSE reviews were submitted to the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering for their report "Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties". HSE has contributed to the Government response to this report. In this context HSE has reviewed the adequacy of the regulatory framework in relation to potential concerns for health and safety in the workplace arising from supply, use and production of nanomaterials.
In response to the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering report, a cross-Government group (Nanotechnology Research Co-ordination Group - NRCG) to co-ordinate research efforts in nanotechnology has been formed and HSE is a key contributor to this group. As well as contributing knowledge and experience to the NRCG, HSE is taking a lead on research efforts on exposure control and fire and explosion, issues of particular relevance to HSE's remit. HSE will also contribute to discussions on the strategic direction of other research areas covered by the NRCG as well as maintaining an oversight on further developments in nanotechnology of relevance to the workplace.
Nanotechnologies offer potentially huge benefits to society, industry, the environment and health. They can help us improve our quality of life and respond to some of the key issues of the day, such as climate change. For example, they could contribute to improved energy storage and efficiency, better diagnosis and treatment of disease, faster computer systems, and remediation of polluted air soil and water.
The Government's aim is for the UK to derive maximum benefit from these new technologies and their products. But this must be done in a way that safeguards health, safety and the environment and addresses the aspirations and concerns of the public.