Memorandum for application of the EU precautionary principle to nanomaterials at the workplace

Project number: F 2273 Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) Status: Completed Project

Description:

For the short term comprehensive scientific results on potential health risks will not be available for all relevant nanomaterials. Already today a growing number of employees is involved in development, production and use of nanomaterials. As a consequence a consistent application of the precautionary principle is indispensable to guarantee adequate workers protection. In a running memorandum a regulatory and practical framework for good governance with regard to nanomaterials at the workplace will be pictured. A concept for establishing occupational exposure limits for dusts consisting of respirable granular biodurable particles with primary particle diameter below 100 nm and without known significant specific toxicity (GBP nanomaterials) will be developed as an essential part of the risk reduction strategy.