Selected information about nanoparticles toxicity used in the production of polymer nanocomposites
Wojciech Zatorski, Lidia Zapór, Elżbieta Jankowska
Quarterly No. 1, 2010 pages 3-10
DOI:
keywords: nanotechnology, nanoparticles, toxicity, polymer nanocomposites, occupational safety and health
abstract Nanotechnology offers the potential for large improvement and technological advances in many areas that may benefit society, such as integrated sensors, semiconductors, medical imaging, drug delivery systems, structural materials, cosmetics, both thermoplastic and thermosetting nanocomposites etc. Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly growing industries across the world. By 2011, the global market for nanotechnology-related products is predicted to reach 4 billions USD and employ to 1 million workers in the world. The properties of nanoparticles (e.g., size, shape, surface area, reactivity, agglomerations) that yield many of the farreaching socie-tal benefits may also pose risks. Currently, increasing numbers of workers are potentially exposed to nanomaterials in research laboratories, production plants, and operations where nanomaterials are processed, used, or recycled. The new challenges are to determine whether the nature of engineered nanostructured materials, nano-particles presents new occupational safety and health risks.