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Applications of nanomaterials and more specifically, engineered nanoparticles are expected to enable huge economic and technological possibilities. Nanotechnologies are being increasingly used in science and industrial development in widely different applications. Some of these special properties of engineered nanoparticles, in particular their reactivity, have raised concerns regarding human health. Due to these concerns scientists, regulators, and industry have initiated efforts to gain knowledge about worker exposure and to define safe uses of the different engineered nanoparticles. The definition of engineered nanoparticles, i.e. poorly biodegradable particles having a diameter between 1 and 100 nm and intentionally engineered, produced or applied because of specific properties, which may be based on shape, size, surface properties, or chemistry.
In the past year a team of investigators of Hogeschool Zuyd, Arbounie and DSM Arbodienst conducted a survey in Dutch industry and research institutions to obtain an overview of the current good or best-practices of engineered nanoparticles, and the associated occupational hygiene measures, instructions, communication in the economic chain and the disposal of nanoparticle-containing waste. The study was initiated and funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning and Environment. The dissemination of the data has been the drive to organize a meeting to put these data in the perspective of a developing technology in a society where opportunities and risks are still subject of debate.
The meeting is organized by Centre of Expertise in Life Sciences (Hogeschool Zuyd) in collaboration with TopEvent Maastricht, and kindly sponsored by a grant from the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning and Environment (VROM)
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