Chemical Risk Management

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What are nanomaterials?

Particles with diameters of 100 nanometers (nm) or less


Nanomaterials may be engineered or natural

  1. Engineered or artificial

    • Carbon nanotubes, metal compounds

    • Used in pharmaceuticals, chemical sensors, catalysts

  2. Naturally occurring

    • Example: Milk fat globules, micelles, whey proteins

    • Can be produced during processing: grinding, milling, homogenization, crystallization














R&I approach for nanomaterials

At R&I level, the diversity of nanomaterials which could be handled is driving new way to assess the hazard and exposure profile of those substances.

The Industrial Hygiene team, supported by internal toxicologists, developed a dedicated approach based on Control Banding (Solvay NanoTool).

  • This tool aims to help the researcher to identify

    • the “Nano Hazard Band” depending on some physico-chemical and toxicological criteria and

    • the Exposure Band depending the task and form of the nanomaterial.

    • The combination of those two bands allows to define which are the necessary Control measures to be applied.




For the moment, a short Powerpoint presentation explains how to use this tool.







Chemical Risk Management

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