Occupational Safety
DOE Issues Approach for Nanomaterial Handling
The Department of Energy's five Nanoscale Science Research Centers, collaborating via an Environment, Health, and Safety Working Group, have issued a publication entitled Approach to Nanomaterial ES&H (PDF). The document consists of non-mandatory guidance and seeks to:
- Provide guidance in order to assist the NSRCs in developing site-specific controls that will protect workers and the environment.
- Offer reasonable guidance for managing the uncertainty associated with nanomaterials whose hazards have not been determined and reducing to an acceptable level the risk of worker injury, worker ill-health and negative environmental impacts.
- Promote consistency in policy and procedures between the five NSRCs.
Based on available science, the document is a compilation of recommended practices for laboratory staff, as well as information about the safety and health effects related to nanomaterials, particle measurement, and control effectiveness.
The guidelines are not intended to discourage responsible efforts to develop or refine alternative approaches to managing risks, which may be necessitated in part by new developments in risk assessment and management with regard to nanoscale materials.
Read DOE's Approach to Nanomaterial ES&H.