1. Nanotechnology applications for safety and health at work
Fabio Boccuni, Sergio Iavicoli
INAIL – Dept. of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene

2. Nanotechnology in future everyday life
Source: INAIL, 2011

3. Nanotechnologies and KETs
The European Commission included nanotechnologies in the list of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) as “indispensable technology bricks that enable a wide range of product applications, including those required for developing low
carbon energy technologies, improving energy and resource efficiency, boosting the fight against climate change or allowing for healthy ageing”
Micro/Nano-electronics
Nanotechnology
Photonics
Advanced materials
Industrial biotechnology
Advanced manufacturing technologies
Source: European Commission, 2012

4. Properties of materials at the nano-scale
Novel properties
Strength
Lightness
Durability
Melting point
Electrical conductivity
Chemical Reactivity
Toxicity factors
Size distribution
Shape
Agglomeration state
Crystal structure
Chemical composition
Surface area
Surface chemistry
Surface charge
Porosity
Functionalization vs

5. Nanomaterials in the workplace
Occupational exposures can occur all along the life cycle of a nanomaterial
[Schulte et al, 2010]
With the increase in production and use of nanomaterials comes the potential for increased exposure of workers to nanomaterials
[Kuempel et al, 2012; Invernizzi, 2011]
Workers often have the highest exposure, which may occur early in the development of a technology when hazards and risks are uncertain.
[Schulte et al, 2014]
Source: Schulte et al, 2010

6. OSH risk analysis of exposure to nanomaterials
Hazard Identification
“Is there reason to believe this could be harmful?”
Nanotoxicology:
What do we know?
Are there “evidences”?
What tests could be performed?
Exposure Assessment
“Will there be exposure in real-world conditions?”
How exposure can be measured?
Where is it occurring?
Metric?
Risk Assessment
“Is substance hazardous and will there be exposure?”
Risk:
Hazard X Exposure?
Risk Management
“Will there be actions to minimize exposures?”
What is the risk perception?
What communication?
What does it work?
What has been used?
What can be reapplied?
Fostering Benefits
“When workers are protected, does the entire population benefit?”

7. ?
Nanotecnology and OSH
Is it just a challenge

8. Opportunities of nanotechnology for OSH
Nano-sensors for real-time workers monitoring of biological parameters
Nanotech-based Personal Protective Equipment
Nano-devices for traditional risks monitoring (e.g. manual handling, etc.)
Nano-enabled portable instruments for early detection of dangerous agents for workers in confined spaces
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) nano- sensors for geo-localization and remote control for accidents prevention

9. Nanotechnology applications to OSH
RFID sensors for geo-localization in industrial plants
Wireless warning for digger’s danger zone
Fighting fires with the help of Google Glass
Sensors installation on vehicles and machines

10. Impact of sensors implementation in OSH risk analysis
Risk factor
Observational approach
Standardized methods
Potential effectiveness of sensors
Physical Agents
+++ ++
Chemical Agents
Biological Agents +
Manual Loads Handling
- +
Visual Display Units
Psychosocial factors
Accidents and Emergency

11. Conclusions Stakeholders involvement Nanotechnology development
Nanotechnology applications to improve OSH
Nanotechnology impacts on workers’ health
Stakeholders
involvement

12. Thank you for your attention!!
Ing. Fabio Boccuni
INAIL – Settore Ricerca
Dipartimento di Medicina, Epidemiologia, Igiene del Lavoro ed Ambientale
Source: