What are nanomaterials?
Particles with diameters of 100 nanometers (nm) or less
Nanomaterials may be engineered or natural
Engineered or artificial
Carbon nanotubes, metal compounds
Used in pharmaceuticals, chemical sensors, catalysts
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.