Nanomaterials risk assessment in the process industries : evaluation and application of current control banding methods

Abstract : Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field and industrial developments are more and more challenged by potential health and safety risks pertaining to manufactured nanomaterials. This matter is far from being solved due to the current lack of reliable data addressing occupational safety as well as environmental field. In this context, the Control Banding (CB) approach appears particularly interesting to assess ESH risks associated to nanomaterials. Our study focuses more specifically on four CB methods which have been analysed in order to highlight their a priori limits and evaluate their effectiveness for perform risk assessment in the industry. Our study concludes that too conservative frameworks, multiplicity of factors and complex algorithm are critical elements that can limit the effectiveness of the tools for risk assessment in the industry.