Publish at January 25 2015 Updated January 15 2026
Invisible to the naked eye, they come into contact with our skin, respiratory tract and digestive tract. Nanomaterials are increasingly part of our lives. These microscopic particles added to traditional materials give them exceptional properties. Yet, while they are in great demand in many industrial sectors, we know very little about their short- and long-term effects on the human body.
In fact, scientists are taking a growing interest in this subject, and the initial feedback can be summed up in one word: beware! Yes, without saying they're all dangerous, health agencies are warning of the potential toxicity of these materials. The effects of these human creations on rats and mice are chilling. Researchers have reportedly observed stunted growth in those in regular contact with nanomaterials, malformations, genetic modifications, cancer development, nervous and immunosuppression problems, and so on.
This is a sobering thought not only for consumers, but above all for those who work with these compounds, which could seriously compromise their health. A concern also for workers in fields such as construction, who are using more and more of these materials in their daily tasks.
Consequently, in 2013, the European Union set up a project called SCAFFOLD (Scaffolding) to analyze the life cycle and potential effects of nanomaterials on construction workers in Europe. This will enable them to develop control and risk management mechanisms for employees in this sector.
Other organizations have also turned their attention to the subject of nanomaterials to better inform industries and workers. In July 2014, INRS published an online guide to identifying these compounds in more than a dozen sectors of activity. As well as listing the nanomaterials present in these industries, the document contains information on the risks and how to guard against them.
On the other side of the Atlantic, a voluminous 120-page report from the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail was published online in August 2014. It includes all the documentation explaining the nanomaterials phenomenon, the hazards and ways of dealing with potential health problems.
Nanomaterials are a growing and in-demand industry. Many see immense potential for improving existing products. However, nanomaterials are recent chemical and biological processes, and their impact on our bodies is unknown. This is why, without rejecting them entirely, it is essential to adopt extreme caution and continue research on the subject to avoid humanity poisoning itself in its desire for progress.
Illustration: jovan vitanovski, shutterstock
References
"Safety Strategies For The Construction Industry." Techno-Science. Last updated: January 14, 2015. http://www.techno-science.net/?onglet=news&news=13553.
Le Hir, Pierre. "Nanomaterials: Invisible And Omnipresent Enemies." Le Monde.fr. Last updated: May 15, 2014. http://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2014/05/15/les-nanomateriaux-ces-ennemis-invisibles-mais-omnipresents_4418874_3244.html.
Ostiguy, Claude, Maximilien Debia, Brigitte Roberge, and André Dufresne. "Nanomaterials - Guide De Bonnes Pratiques Favorisant La Gestion Des Risques En Milieu De Travail, 2nd edition." Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité au travail. Last updated: August 2014. http://www.irsst.qc.ca/-publication-irsst-nanomateriaux-guide-r-840.html.
SCAFFOLD. Accessed January 21, 2015. http://www.scaffold.eu-vri.eu/.
"Un Guide Pour Aider Au Repérage Des Nanomatériaux." INRS. Last updated July 22, 2014. http://www.inrs.fr/accueil/header/actualites/brochure-reperage-nanomateriaux.html.
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