Due to the possible health hazards associated with nanotechnology, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is currently asking for safety regulations surrounding nanomaterials in order to protect workers.
At the recent Science meets Parliament (an event that brings together nearly 200 scientists throughout Australia) Occupational and Health Safety Officer Steve Mullins said Australia needs nanotechnology regulations within a “clear and urgent” time frame. He believes that over the next decade, global revenues related to nanotechnology will increase from about $32 billion to $2.6 trillion.
The concern over nanotechnology stems from its resemblance to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. Previous studies have indicated that nanoparticles share similar characteristics to asbestos fibers, which have been proven to cause pleural mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
“What is happening is a market is growing in an unregulated space and that is dangerous for workers. From our point of view, there are growing concerns about the health and safety impacts of nanotechnology,” Mullins said.
Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) nanosafety leader Maxine McCall says scientists and policymakers are facing challenges in understanding the science behind nanotechnology.
“If we’re to have appropriate and sensible regulation, the policymakers have to be appropriately informed. Right now, we don’t have sufficient information in my opinion to have sensible regulation so a lot of scientific research has to be done in this area.”
Current estimates predict more than 800 consumer products around the world contain nanoparticles to some degree.
Just last month, the United States House of Representatives approved the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act (H.R. 554), which was designed to support the future development of nanotechnology while strengthening research to understand the potential risks of its usage.
The new legislation is requiring those participating in nanotechnology developments to also create a plan for environmental and safety research involving nanotechnology.
While some studies have shown that only nanoparticles of a particular long, thin shape have the potential to cause harm, the risk associated with nanotechnology deserves further research. Many feel there are lessons to be learned from the tragedies of asbestos exposure and the increase in products containing nanoparticles is an issue that cannot be ignored.
Additional information about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
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