September 17 2015. Fort Worth. 8th EU-US Joint Conference. Nano workgroup. Nanomaterial regulation in Europe Current workplace challenges Caroline Verdoot

September 17 2015. Fort Worth.8th EU-US Joint Conference.Nano workgroup.

Nanomaterial regulation in EuropeCurrent workplace challenges

Caroline VerdootAdvisor, FGTB

CONTENT

Section 1. Context - Introduction

Section 2. OSH issues

Section 3. Legislative deficiencies

Section 4. KEY MESSAGES TU positions and recommendations

Caroline Verdoot Fort Worth 2015

SECTION 1Context

Working with nanomaterials


• Nanomarket is fast growing• Environmental and health impacts• There are concerns that available

information about nanomaterials is not sufficient to guarantee its safe use


Routes of exposure:

1. Inhalation2. Ingestion3. Dermal

NPs interaction with biological system:• Deposition in organs• Translocation• Bioaccumulation• Fiber Paradigm


SECTION 2OSH ISSUES


EXPOSURE THROUGH ALL LIFE CYCLE

Synthesis Production Transportation Use Waste

ALL INDUSTRIAL SECTORS


1. Safety Data Sheets with nano-specific information2. Employers need to provide specific training on how to handle nanomaterials.

But employers, risk prevention services and occupational medicine services are themselves not always aware

Information that guarantees the safe use is needed


SECTION 3Legislative deficiencies


• Various elements:– Framework Directive of 1989 on Safety and health of

workers at work– European Directive on chemical agents (98/24/CE)– REACH and CLP regulations – Cosmetics, waste, medicinal drugs, information for

consumers…


• Nanomaterial definitionCommission recommandation (2011 – confirmed in

2014)

• "a natural, incidental or manufactured material • containing particles, in an unbound state or as an aggregate

or as an agglomerate and • where, for 50 % or more of the particles in the number size

distribution, one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1 nm-100 nm."


• REACH does not work for nanos • Nanomaterials are placed on the market without

prior registration or monitoring (in contradiction with the REACH principle « No data-no market »)– Manufacturers and distributors rarely produce or

import more than one tonne of nanomaterial per year – REACH does not require nano to be registred as new

substances Caroline Verdoot Fort Worth

2015

Difference bulk vs. nanomaterial

There remains many unknowns about the appropriate handling and health effects of nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials should be handled differently to traditional materials.


• European civil society considers that REACH does not allow suffisent and dependable information to be obtained to evaluate and deal with the presumed risks

• Some Member States put in place their own traceability systems and registers for monitoring the marketing of nanomaterials


SECTION 4KEY MESSAGES TU positions and

recommendations


‘No data, no market’

When no data onhazards is available, workers must not be exposedand processes have to beperformed in closed systems.


• Investment of public funds in scientific research into the risks potentially connected with exposure to nanomaterials

• Exchanges of good practices and international scientific cooperation (international guidelines)


SDS ought to contain informations about specific physical properties of the substance, give details of the form of the nano, container and type of storage & information on the risks


Workers need a good understanding of nanomaterials to understand the benefits and risks. Therefore

participation by workers in setting the appropriate prevention measures is a key factor.

There is a need to identify the possible risks:


Workers are in contact with nanomaterials

Register the exposureWho is exposed to what?

Who does

what?Caroline Verdoot Fort Worth

2015

If exposure: introduce medical surveillance

Long term non-specific examinations during and after the work life.

Track exposure and detectpossible patterns & diseases.

Useful for epidemiological studies.


TU actions

Organization of trainings and information sessions

Examination of work places

Awareness campaign of politicians for the building of a national register (collaboration with NGO’s)

Knowledge sharing within international trade union networkCaroline Verdoot Fort Worth

2015

Thank you.


Documents

September 17 2015. Fort Worth. 8th EU-US Joint Conference. Nano workgroup. Nanomaterial regulation in Europe Current workplace challenges Caroline Verdoot