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Nano Specificity?

Is there actually a specific nanorisk?

Could the "nano" risk be limited to a set of identified dangers: irritating, corrosive, toxic, inflammable, or dangerous for the environment for example? What are the reasons for giving specific attention to this risk?

Some say that for many years chemists have been doing nanotechnology without knowing it. But we must distinguish between two categories of risks:

  • known risks, including explosion risks related to the Explosive Atmosphere (ATEX: 1999/92CE and 94/9CE directives) or the classic toxicity of a chemical in the macroscopic form,
  • potential or supposed risks, specifically related to the size and surface reactivity of the particles, as their shape facilitates cell penetration or their ability to fix and carry pollutants in the ecosystem.

A global approach for any emerging risk

132-specifique

The gap between the level of risk taken into account and the subjective perceptions is maintained by three types of factors.

Three types of motivations tend to consider the potential "nano" risk as likely to be taken into account specifically:

  • technical Motivation: for the same "quantity" of the same substance in macro, micro, or nanoform, the reactivity (toxicity) or physical properties (conductivity, magnetism, etc.) are very different. In addition, the parameters and references that characterize the exposure and the toxicity are still under discussion,
  • legal Motivation: existing regulations on hygiene and safety (chemical risk or ATEX for example) are not often applied, but today it is the employer's responsibility to preserve the health:precaution and right to health,
  • social Motivation: the evolution of risk perception requires beforehand the start of a social dialogue. Only a strategy based on examples and transparency, combined with a pedagogical approach will help to restore confidence.