As many as 2000 workers could be exposed to nanoparticles in universities and in emerging nanoparticle companies. What's more, the review states that current knowledge is insufficient for risk assessment. While control safeguards are available that should be effective for exposure by inhalation, this has not been clearly demonstrated. And control approaches for dermal and ingestion exposure may not be as effective as they are for larger particles.
Technology update
Oct 22, 2004
UK reviews nanoparticle exposure
The UK's Health and Safety Executive has published a review of nanoparticle exposure in the UK. Prepared by the Institute of Occupational Medicine, "Nanoparticles: An occupational hygiene review" concludes that all four main groups of nanoparticle production processes may result in exposure by inhalation, dermal or ingestion routes.