What are nanoparticles?
The term nanoparticle is used to describe particles with a size between 1 and 100 nanometers in height, width or length. The Greek term “nanos” means dwarf and illustrates the size dimension.
For comparison: a human hair is 80,000 nanometers wide.
REACH Regulation
They can be produced using various methods, e.g. by laser impact or by comminution processes.
The possible applications of these particles are numerous and varied and have not yet been fully researched.
The abbreviation REACH stands for Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorizationand Restriction of CHemicals and is based on the assumption that those who put chemicals into circulation are also responsible for them.
Accordingly, the REACH regulation is one of the strictest chemical laws. It has been in force since 2007 and is intended to ensure a high level of protection for people and the environment.
Under the guiding principle of “no data – no market” , manufacturers and importers are forced to include safety information with their chemicals. Without this information, no such products may be placed on the market. A classic example of the implementation of this law is the safety data sheetwhich accompanies the chemical and contains information about the substance in question and its hazard potential, as well as listing the risk and safety phrases (as abbreviations) and the corresponding pictograms.
Dangers of nanoparticles for health
The danger posed by nanoparticles cannot be described in general terms. Various factors are relevant to the decision: Are they free or bound particles? Are there substance-specific risks (carcinogenic or similar)?
Due to their very small size, these particles could get into the ambient air and enter the lungs through the airways. It is possible that they can penetrate into the alveoli (pulmonary alveoli) and cause irritation or inflammation. In many cases, the effects of long-term exposure are not yet known. In addition, it has not been conclusively clarified whether and how these particles are deposited in the body and what reactions they can trigger.
State of the debate – concepts for inclusion in the REACH Regulation
Nanotechnology is still at the beginning of its development. Nevertheless, it is already important to consider the extent to which safety concepts for handling nanoparticles need to be adapted. However, it is undisputed that protective measures must be taken for employees when handling nanoparticles. This is why there is a justified debate about how nanoparticles should be included in the REACH Regulation .
An occupational limit value has not yet been set. However, the topic is very topical in the area of occupational health and safety and safety measures are constantly being considered.
As many nanoparticles have a similar hazard potential to A-dust (fine dust), some protective measures can be derived from this. Wearing a fine dust mask is therefore an important part of personal protective equipment.
Sources:
[1]: Source Featured image: © Kateryna Kon / 123RF.com
[2]: https://www.nanopartikel.info/
[3]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Angebote/Publikationen/Fokus/Nano-Definition.html
[4]: https://www.bund.net/themen/chemie/nanotechnologie/
[5]: https://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Nanoteilchen.html
[6]: https://www.bghm.de/arbeitsschuetzer/fachinformationen/gefahrstoffe-und-biologische-arbeitsstoffe/nanopartikel-und-ultrafeine-partikel/
[7]: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/chemikalien/reach-chemikalien-reach
[8]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Themen/Anwendungssichere-Chemikalien-und-Produkte/Chemikalienrecht/REACH/REACH.html