RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON NANOMATERIALS AND NANOSAFETY FOR ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

摘要

Because of the superior physical, chemical, physicochemical, and biological properties, nanomaterials share in market has been increasing considerably for a number of years. Nanomaterials can be very useful for many industrial applications, including biomedical, aerospace, energy, automotive, textile, cosmetic, manufacturing, agricultural, defense, and electronics. According to the Woodrow Wilson Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies Consumer Products Inventory lists, there are currently 1814 consumer products available in the market, which are mainly produced by 622 companies in 32 countries. Increasing market demand of nanoproducts pushing researchers and workers to expose more and more nanomaterials and their devices. Although nanomaterials offer limitless possibilities, they carry with them new challenges for detecting and managing potential safety and health hazards to the researchers. Based on the main components, nanomaterials can be generally in the forms of nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanofibers, nanocomposites, and nanofilms. Even the well-known bulk material behaves differently when they are at nanosize. Since the variety is high for nanomaterials, there are no specific rules and regulations for many of them. This paper provides information currently available on engineering controls and safe work practices to be followed when working with nanomaterials in research and teaching laboratories and production facilities.