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The rapid pace of nanotechnology innovation has created a gap between the pace of innovation and the pace of developing nano-specific risk governance. In order to identify how to minimize this gap, a Workshop on Regulatory Preparedness for Innovation in Nanotechnology was hosted by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in 2017 under the European Union (EU) project NanoReg2. It was attended by regulators from the EU and the United States of America (USA), industry representatives and non-governmental organizations. The Regulatory Preparedness concept under development aspires to improve the anticipation capabilities of regulators and risk assessors and to facilitate the development of adaptable (safety) legislation that can keep up with the pace of nanomaterial and nano-enabled product innovation. Based on the outcome of the workshop, a multifaceted framework was proposed to support the development of such adaptable safety legislation. The findings discussed in this perspective are a first step towards an agile system of Regulatory Preparedness that is proactive, vigilant, anticipatory, adaptive, and resilient.

Real-time exposure measurements to nano-sized particles may result in large amounts of time series data on particle size and total number concentration. Analysis of the particle size distribution have thus far been limited to either graphical analysis of the distribution over time or an evaluation of the mode over time. For large time series data, graphical analysis of distributions is complicated and an assessment of the mode ignores the important aspect of the variance in particle size. A statistical method of analysis is proposed that overcomes those problems, based on a multilevel modeling approach and assuming a lognormal model for the particle size distribution. Two empirical examples illustrate the advantages of the proposed model, showing that useful summaries and inferences can be obtained, even for large data sets. The model thus provides a tool for practitioners to deal with large amounts of particle size distribution data obtained from real-time nano measurement devices.

Exposure assessment for nano-objects, and their aggregates and agglomerates (NOAA), has evolved from explorative research toward more comprehensive exposure assessment, providing data to further develop currently used conservative control banding (CB) tools for risk assessment. This study aims to provide an overview of current knowledge on emission potential of NOAA across the occupational life cycle stages by a systematic review and subsequently use the results in a data analysis. Relevant parameters that influence emission were collected from peer-reviewed literature with a focus on the four source domains (SD) in the source-receptor conceptual framework for NOAA. To make the reviewed exposure data comparable, we applied an approach to normalize for workplace circumstances and measurement location, resulting in comparable "surrogate" emission levels. Finally, descriptive statistics were performed. During the synthesis of nanoparticles (SD1), mechanical reduction and gas phase synthesis resulted in the highest emission compared to wet chemistry and chemical vapor condensation. For the handling and transfer of bulk manufactured nanomaterial powders (SD2) the emission could be differentiated for five activity classes: (1) harvesting; (2) dumping; (3); mixing; (4) cleaning of a reactor; and (5) transferring. Additionally, SD2 was subdivided by the handled amount with cleaning further subdivided by energy level. Harvesting and dumping resulted in the highest emissions. Regarding processes with liquids (SD3b), it was possible to distinguish emissions for spraying (propellant gas, (high) pressure and pump), sonication and brushing/rolling. The highest emissions observed in SD3b were for propellant gas spraying and pressure spraying. The highest emissions for the handling of nano-articles (SD4) were found to nano-sized particles (including NOAA) for grinding. This study provides a valuable overview of emission assessments performed in the workplace during the occupational handling of NOAA. Analyses were made per source domain to derive emission levels which can be used for models to quantitatively predict the exposure.

The release of pesticides from conventional spray products has been investigated in depth, and suitable analytical techniques detecting the mass of the released substances are available. In contrast, nanoparticle-containing sprays are less studied, although they are perceived as critical for consumers because inhalation exposure can occur to potentially toxic nanoparticles. A few recent studies presented analytical concepts for exposure experiments and generated data for exposure assessment. This study attempts to review and compare the current approaches to characterize nanosprays and to identify challenges for future research. Furthermore, experimental setups used for exposure assessment from conventional sprays are reviewed and compared to setups used for nanoparticle-containing sprays. National and international norms dealing with nanoparticle characterization, spray characterization and exposure are inspected with regard to their usefulness for standardizing exposure assessment. Different approaches in the field of exposure modeling are reviewed and compared. The conclusion is that due to largely varying experimental setups to date exposure values for nanosprays are difficult to compare. All studies are only conducted with a limited set of sprays, and no systematic evaluation of the study conditions is available. A suitable set of experimental setups as well as minimum reporting requirements should be agreed upon to enable the systematic evaluation of consumer sprays in the future. Indispensable features of such experimental setups are developed in this review. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Increasing production and applications of manufactured nano objects (MNOs) have become a source for human exposure and therefore raise concerns and questions about the possible health effects. In this study, the potential release of nano objects, their agglomerates, and aggregates (NOAA) as a result of sanding of hardwood treated with MNOs-containing coating was examined. Two types of MNO-containing coating were compared with untreated hardwood that allowed the evaluation of the influence of the chemical composition on the release of particles. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the sander and the grit size of the sanding paper were varied in order to assess their influence on the release of particles. Measurements were conducted in a gas-Tight chamber with a volume of 19.5 m3 in which ventilation was minimized during experiments. Particle size distributions were assessed by scanning mobility particle sizer, aerodynamic particle sizer, and electrical low pressure impactor. Furthermore, aerosol number concentrations (Nanotracer), active surface area (LQ1), and fractionated mass (Cascade Impactor) were measured before, during, and after sanding. Scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis was performed to adequately characterize the morphology, size, and chemical composition of released particles. SEM/EDX analysis indicated that sanding surfaces treated with MNO-containing coating did not release the designated MNO as free primary particles. In both coatings, clusters of MNO were perceived embedded in and attached to micro-sized wood and/or coating particles created by sanding the coated surface. Real-Time measurements indicated a lower release of micro-sized particles from sanding of surfaces treated with Coating I than from sanding untreated surfaces or surfaces treated with Coating II. A substantial increase in nanosized and a slight increase in micro-sized particles was perceived as the rotation speed of the sander increased. However, most nanosized particles were most likely emitted by the sanding machine. No effect of the grit size on the release of particles was detected. © 2016 The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

This paper reports a study of the dispersion of manufactured nano-objects (MNOs) through the air, both in time and space, during the use of two commercially available nano-spray products and comparable products without MNOs. The main objective was to identify whether personal exposure can occur at a greater distance than the immediate proximity of the source (>1 m from the source), that is, in the "far field" (bystanders), or at a period after the emission occurred (re-entry). The spray experiments were conducted in an experimental room with well-controlled environmental and ventilation conditions (19.5 m 3). The concentration of MNOs was investigated by measuring real-time size distribution, number, and active surface area concentration. For off-line analysis of the particles in the air, samples for scanning/transmission electron microscopy and elemental analysis were collected. The release of MNOs was measured at ∼30 and 290 cm from the source ("near field" and "far field", respectively). For all four spray products, the maximum number and surface area concentrations in the "near field" exceeded the maximum concentrations reached in the "far field". At 2 min after the emission occurred, the concentration in both the "near field" and "far field" reached a comparable steady-state level above background level. These steady-state concentrations remained elevated above background concentration throughout the entire measurement period (12 min). The results of the real-time measurement devices mainly reflect the liquid aerosols emitted by the spray process itself rather than only the MNO, which hampers the interpretation of the results. However, the combination of the off-line analysis and the results of the real-time devices indicates that after the use of nano-spray products, personal exposure to MNOs can occur not only in the near field, but also at a greater distance than the immediate proximity of the source and at a period after emission occurred. © 2014 Nature America, Inc.

Background: In order to make full use of the opportunities while responsibly managing the risks of working with manufactured nanomaterials (MNM), we need to gain insight into the potential level of exposure to MNM in the industry. Therefore, the goal of this study was to obtain an overview of the potential MNM exposure scenarios within relevant industrial sectors, applied exposure controls, and number of workers potentially exposed to MNM in Dutch industrial sectors producing and applying MNM-enabled end products in the Netherlands. Methods: A survey was conducted in three phases: (i) identification of MNM-enabled end products; (ii) identification of relevant industrial sectors; and (iii) a tiered telephone survey to estimate actual use of the products among 40 sector organizations/knowledge centres (Tier 1), 350 randomly selected companies (Tier 2), and 110 actively searched companies (Tier 3). Results: The most dominant industrial sectors producing or applying MNM-enabled end products (market penetration >5%) are shoe repair shops, automotive, construction, paint, metal, and textile cleaning industry. In the majority of the companies (76%), potential risks related to working with MNM are not a specific point of interest. The total number of workers potentially exposed to MNM during the production or application of MNM-enabled end products was estimated at approximately 3000 workers in the Netherlands. The results of this study will serve as a basis for in-depth exposure and health surveys that are currently planned in the Netherlands. In addition, the results can be used to identify the most relevant sectors for policy makers and future studies focussing on evaluating the risks of occupational exposure to MNM.

Objectives To assess personal exposure to carbon nanotubes for a study of early effect biomarkers among workers exposed to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Method Three major job categories were identified in the exposed factory: production, R&D and office. For qualitative assessment personal 8-hr-TWA inhalable dust samples (n = 5) were collected in all job categories and analysed by SEM-EDX. For quantitative assessment 8-hr TWA samples (n = 30) were collected from the production and R&D workers and analysed for elemental carbon, corrected for soot using SEM/EDX. Job activities were recorded during all measurements. Results The qualitative analyses demonstrated the presence of CNTs in the personal breathing zone of production, R&D and office workers. CNT agglomerates with particle sizes between 500 nm and 100 μm were identified for production and R&D workers and between 500 nm and 5 μm for office workers. No single CNTs were identified. The quantitative analyses demonstrated geometric mean (GM) inhalable CNT levels of 42.6 μg/m 3 (min-max: 1.4–1186.5) and 4.6 μg/m 3 (min-max: 0.2–59.5) for the production and R&D workers, respectively. Conclusions We identified exposure to clusters of CNT in production, R&D and office workers of the CNT production facility. As expected GM exposure was higher for production than for R&D workers, however considerable variability was observed. Additional quantitative measurements in office and production workers are ongoing. For the full set, analyses of within- and between-worker variability and activity as a determinant will be performed. This information will be used to assess personal exposure in a cross-sectional study of early health effects in the CANTES study.

Objectives We aimed to investigate the penetration of nano products in Dutch industrial sectors and the working conditions under which these products are used. The focus was on sectors producing nano-enabled products, and the application of ready-to-use nano end products. Methods An inventory of applications of nano products was made based on the literature and expert elicitation. Sectors were linked to the applications. For each sector the sector organisation and a random sample of 20 individual companies were contacted by telephone. In addition companies using nano products were actively searched. Structured interviews on the use of nano products and working conditions were administered to the branch organisation and each company using nano products. Results The major application of nanomaterial was in coatings. Fourteen sectors were identified to be relevant. Preliminary results show that considerable penetration (>10% of companies contacted) of nano products has occurred in shoe repair shops (4/20), car body repair shops (3/20), production of coatings and inks (4/20), tire manufacturing (1/1). The awareness of nano products was low, especially among appliers of nano products. In general no special information, training or guidelines on control measures use was available. Conclusions Nano products are applied in diverse industrial sectors. Because of the limited awareness among especially the appliers, the penetration of nano products is probably underestimated. This study will serve as a basis for assessing the population ‘at risk’ and subsequent quantitative exposure assessments and health surveys that are currently planned in the Netherlands.