Industrial nanoparticle application : representative survey among Swiss companies shows low usage and basic protection means

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_E13388E84A7C
Type
Inproceedings: an article in a conference proceedings.
Publication sub-type
Abstract (Abstract): shot summary in a article that contain essentials elements presented during a scientific conference, lecture or from a poster.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Industrial nanoparticle application : representative survey among Swiss companies shows low usage and basic protection means
Title of the conference
American Thoracic Society 2009 International Conference, May 15-20, 2009, San Diego, California
Author(s)
Schmid Kaspar, Danuser Brigitta, Riediker Michael
ISBN
1073-449X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2009
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
179
Series
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Pages
A5264
Language
english
Notes
SAPHIRID:80481
Abstract
Manufactured nanoparticles are introduced into industrial processes, but they are suspected to cause similar negative health effects as ambient particles. The poor knowledge about the scale of this introduction did not allow global risk analysis so far. In 2006 a targeted telephone survey among Swiss companies (1) showed the usage of nanoparticles in a few selected companies but did not provide data to extrapolate on the totality of the Swiss workforce. To gain this kind of information a layered representative questionnaire survey among 1'626 Swiss companies was conducted in 2007. Data was collected about the number of potentially exposed persons in the companies and their protection strategy. The response rate was 58.3%. An expected number of 586 companies (95%−confidence interval 145 to 1'027) was shown by this study to use nanoparticles in Switzerland. Estimated 1'309 (1'073 to 1'545) workers do their job in the same room as a nanoparticle application. Personal protection was shown to be the predominant type of protection means. Companies starting productions with nanomaterials need to consider incorporating protection measures into the plans. This will not only benefit the workers' health, but will also likely increase the competitiveness of the companies. Technical and organisational protection means are not only more cost−effective on the long term, but are also easier to control. Guidelines may have to be designed specifically for different industrial applications, including fields outside nanotechnology, and adapted to all sizes of companies.
Keywords
Nanoparticles , Occupational Exposure , Occupational Health , Industry , Data Collection
Create date
27/01/2010 13:20
Last modification date
20/08/2019 17:05
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