With characteristics making them suitable for innovative applications and solutions across multiple industries, from medicine to energy and agriculture, nanoparticles represent a frontier in materials science.
But nanoparticles are also opening new health, environmental and regulatory risk frontiers.
In this article, we help your business better understand and mitigate nanoparticle risks, by exploring:
Nanoparticles measure less than 100 nanometres in diameter, a nanometre being one billionth of a metre. Composed of diverse materials such as metals, polymers and ceramics, these miniscule particles exhibit distinctive physical and chemical properties that set them apart from larger particles.
Nanoparticles have multiple applications across various industries.
In medicine, nanoparticles can be integral to drug delivery systems, targeting specific cells to improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects. They also support advanced imaging techniques for early disease detection and developing new therapies for cancer and other conditions.
In electronics, nanoparticles create smaller, more efficient components, such as silver nanoparticles in conductive inks for printed electronics and carbon nanotubes to enhance transistor performance.
In the energy sector, nanoparticles are crucial for advancing renewable technologies, improving light absorption in solar cells and enhancing energy storage in batteries and supercapacitors.
The food industry use nanoparticles to fortify packaging materials, making them more durable and resistant to contamination and to enhance the flavour, texture and nutritional value of food products. While in agriculture, nanoparticles are used in pesticides and fertilisers to boost crop yields and minimize environmental impact.
The cosmetics industry widely employs nanoparticles, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, to provide superior UV protection in sunscreens without leaving a white residue and to enhance the effectiveness of anti-ageing creams and other skincare products.
In textiles, nanoparticles help create fabrics with advanced properties, including antimicrobial fabrics made with silver nanoparticles and water-repellent, stain-resistant textiles enhanced with silica nanoparticles.
While nanoparticles offer numerous benefits, they can also can pose significant risks, including:
Nanoparticles can easily enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Once inside, they can interact with cells and tissues in ways larger particles cannot. Studies suggest certain types of nanoparticles can cause cell death, oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammatory responses.
Inhaling nanoparticles, meanwhile, may result in lung inflammation, allergic reactions, or harmful effects on genes.
The production and use of nanoparticles can lead to environmental contamination. Nanoparticles can accumulate in soil, water, and air, posing risks to ecosystems and wildlife, and can cause toxic effects in fish, soil organisms and plants.
Regulatory bodies are increasingly implementing guidelines and standards to ensure safe handling and use of nanoparticles. This means your organization should stay informed and compliant with these regulations to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the safety of your employees and the environment.
Complying with legal and regulatory requirements on the safety and health of your employees and the environment can help you mitigate risks and prevent legal repercussions.
Key frameworks relevant to managing nanoparticles risks include:
Effectively mitigating the risks associated with nanoparticles means taking a comprehensive and proactive approach. This includes conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with using nanoparticles in the workplace, evaluating the types of nanoparticles used, their potential exposure routes and the likelihood of adverse health effects.
You should also implement engineering controls to minimize exposure to nanoparticles. This may include using ventilation systems, fume hoods and enclosed processes to contain nanoparticles and prevent their release into the workplace environment.
Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees working with nanoparticles, including respirators, gloves, lab coats plus eye protection to reduce the risk of exposure, is vital. Also crucial is educating your employees about the potential risks associated with nanoparticles and the importance of following safety protocols.
Where appropriate, continuously monitor your workplaces for nanoparticles exposure and evaluate the effectiveness of your control measures. Regular air and surface sampling can help identify areas of concern and ensure your safety measures are working as intended.
To better understand and manage your nanoparticles risks, speak to our risk management specialists.
