Mastering Nanomaterial Risk Assessment for Your Safety and Compensation

For effective risk management, WorkCover Queensland provides a Nanomaterial Control Banding Tool Worksheet, which is built on a nanomaterial control banding approach.

Recognizing the varying hazards of nanomaterials based on their types, such as fibrous, insoluble, and bio-persistent materials potentially posing greater health risks, the Nanomaterial Control Banding Tool Worksheet (PDF, 0.71 MB) has been developed by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). This worksheet aligns with the nanomaterial control banding approach outlined by Paik et al in 2008[¹] and integrates modifications proposed by Zalk et al in 2009 [²]. Additionally, the worksheet includes information on identifying the flammability of nanomaterials.

While especially pertinent to research facilities using small quantities of nanomaterials, this nanotool is broadly applicable across all nanotechnology workplaces. It is anticipated that updates to the Nanomaterial Control Banding Worksheet will occur as more information becomes available regarding the hazards and risks associated with nanotechnology.

The tool can be used to assess the following:

  • nanomaterial
    • surface reactivity
    • particle shape
    • particle diameter
    • solubility
    • carcinogenicity
    • reproductive toxicity
    • mutagenicity
    • dermal toxicity
    • asthmagen
  • parent material
    • toxicity
    • carcinogenicity
    • reproductive toxicity
    • mutagenicity
    • dermal toxicity
    • asthmagen
  • dustiness/mistiness/propensity to become airborne
  • amount of chemical used during the task
  • number of workers with similar exposure
  • frequency and duration of operation.

The nanotool allows the determination of severity and probability scores based upon the above as follows:

Severity Score: Sum of all severity factors. Maximum score is 100. Out of the 100 points, 70 points are based on characteristics of the nanomaterial and 30 points are based on characteristics of the parent material. Thus, more weight is given to nanoscale characteristics as follows:

  • 0-25: Low severity
  • 26-50: Medium severity
  • 51-75: High severity
  • 76-100: Very high severity.

Probability Score: Sum of all exposure factors. Maximum score is 100. These factors determine the extent to which employees may be potentially exposed to nanoscale materials, primarily through inhalation, but also through dermal contact.

  • 0-25: Extremely unlikely
  • 26-50: Less likely
  • 51-75: Likely
  • 76-100: Probable.

Nanomaterial control banding is particularly useful for nanotechnology processes because of the:

  • uncertainties regarding the toxicology of engineered nanoparticles
  • difficulty in characterising and measuring engineered nanoparticles
  • uncertainty as to which nanoparticle metrics should be characterised, and
  • absence of exposure standards.

Nanomaterial control banding can be used to:

  • complement traditional industrial hygiene methods of air sampling and analysis
  • provide a formal process for incorporating professional judgement about risk and control, and
  • should be facilitated by a person with sufficient occupational hygiene experience and knowledge.

Further instruction on using the nanotool can be obtained from WHSQ staff and/or reference to the articles published by Paik et al 2008, and Zalk et al 2009.

References

[1] Paik S et al. Ann. Occup. Hyg., Vol. 52, No. 6, pp. 419-428, 2008. Web: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18632731 (non-Queensland Government link)

[2] Zalk et al 2009 J Nanopart Res 11: 1685-1704. Web: http://www.springerlink.com/content/4t3241552m176137/ (non-Queensland Government link)


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