What precautions do I need to take when using or making nanoparticles?
Just like working with any other chemicals, a risk assessment should be the first step in ensuring that work activities are appropriately and effectively controlled. The precautions needed depend on that risk assessment. A simple approach to risk assessment comprises these steps: 1. Identify the hazards 2. Decide who might be harmed and how 3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precaution 4. Record your findings and implement them 5. Review your assessment and update if necessary One of the difficulties with nanoparticles is that this information may be incomplete. Where significant gaps in knowledge remain, your risk assessment and risk management decisions need to suitably cautious, providing higher levels of protection as the uncertainty about the risk increases. SAFENANO can help to fill in these information gaps with the latest knowledge about nanoparticle risk issues.
