Development of a best practices guide for the safe handling of nanoparticles

0099-5950 : Completed

This document is the very first Québec guide on the risks related to synthetic nanoparticles. Prepared jointly by the IRSST, CSST and NanoQuébec, this best practices guide proposes a prevention strategy applicable to workers and researchers using, manufacturing or synthesizing nanoparticles.

The guide's authors note that knowledge about the health and safety risks specific to nanoparticles is still limited. Among other things, the toxic effects related to the capacity of these particles to cross biological barriers, to distribute in the body, and to accumulate in certain organs and inside cells are only partially documented. While nanoparticles can be more toxic than larger particles of the same chemical substance, current knowledge nevertheless allows these risks to be managed, even at unknown levels of toxicity and exposure. This guide is intended for companies, researchers and preventionists involved with nanotechnologies, and describes the current state of knowledge as well as offers recommendations for promoting risk factor management and control for the purpose of occupational injury prevention. The guide identifies health, safety and environmental hazards; proposes a procedure for risk evaluation and control; documents current practices worldwide; and specifies the content of a company prevention program.

IRSST publicationsOstiguy, Claude; Roberge, Brigitte; Ménard, Luc; Endo, Charles-Anica

Best Practices Guide to Synthetic Nanoparticle Risk Management

Studies and Research Projects / Report R-599, Montréal, IRSST, 2009, 67 pages. Free download

Ostiguy, Claude; Roberge, Brigitte; Ménard, Luc; Endo, Charles-Anica

Guide de bonnes pratiques favorisant la gestion des risques reliés aux nanoparticules de synthèse (Best Practices Guide to Synthetic Nanoparticle Risk Management)

Études et recherches / Guide technique R-586, Montréal, IRSST, 2008, 73 pages. Free download

Scientific publications and communicationsOstiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C.-A.

Best practices guide to synthetic nanoparticle risk management and research at the IRSST. in First International Nanotechnology Workshop, (February 16, 2009 : Nagano, Japan), 2009.

Ostiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C.-A.

The IRSST best practices guide to work safely with nanoparticles in research laboratories and occupational setting. in Inno.09 : La semaine de l'innovation, (23-24 avril, 2009 : Montréal, Canada), 2009.

Ostiguy C.

Occupational health and safety issues with nanoparticles. in Atelier nano-safety : Institut canadien pour les innovations en photonique, (21 janvier, 2009 : Montréal, Canada), 2009.

Ostiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C.-A.

Best practices guide to synthetic nanoparticle risk management. in Occupational Health and Safety of Nanoparticles IRSST-JNIOSH Workshop, (February 17, 2009 : Tokyo), 2009.

Ostiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C. A.

A good practices guide for safe work with nanoparticles : the Quebec approach. in Inhaled Particles X, (September 23-25, 2008 : Sheffield, UK), Journal of Physics : Conference Series, vol. 151, 2009, 5 p., http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/1742-6596/151/1/012037/jpconf9_151_012037.pdf?request-id=ad45d67a-9ed6-4c50-9cd2-9034cb57db30.

Ostiguy C., Roberge B.

L'application de l'approche de control banding aux nanoparticules : portée et limites. in L'intégration de la SST au coeur de l'organisation Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (31e : 13-15 mai, 2009 : Drummondville, Canada), 2009, (http://www.aqhsst.qc.ca/conf09/OstiguyC.pdf).

Ostiguy C.

A best practices guide to work safety with nanoparticles in research laboratories and occupational settings. in Imagine, Innovate and Inspire : Health & Safety Canada 2009 - IAPA Conference & Trade Show (April 20-22, 2009 : Toronto, Canada), 2009.

Ostiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C.-A.

Working safely with nanoparticles: the Quebec good practices guide. in International Conference on Nanotechnology - Occupational and Environmental Health, (4th : August, 26-29, 2009 : Helsinki, Finland), 2009.

Ostiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C. A.

Peut-on travailler de façon sécuritaire avec les nanoparticules. in Le croisement des générations : échanger connaissances et expériences : Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (30e : 7-9 mai, 2008 : Laval, Canada), 2008, (http://www.aqhsst.qc.ca/congresRes.php#26).

Ostiguy C., Roberge B., Ménard L., Endo C. A.

A good practices guide for safe work with nanoparticles (Poster). in Recherche en santé et sécurité du travail en action : méthodes, résultats et applications : Congrès en santé et sécurité du travail / ACRST-RRSSTQ, (15-17 juin, 2008 : Montréal, Canada), 2008, (http://www.etsmtl.ca/zone2/recherche/rrsstq/Colloque2008/Affiches_posters/ostiguy.doc).

Ostiguy C.

Nanomaterials and OHS : towards the production of a guide of good practices. in Innovative Strategies for Safer & Healthier Workplaces : Health & Safety Canada 2007 - IAPA Conference & Trade Show (April 16-18, 2007 : Toronto, Canada), 2007.

Prévention au travail articles

Best Practices Guide to Synthetic Nanoparticle Risk Management

Guide de bonnes pratiques favorisant la gestion des risques reliés aux nanoparticules de synthèse (Best Practices Guide to Synthetic Nanoparticle Risk Management)

Best practices guide to synthetic nanoparticle risk management and research at the IRSST. in First International Nanotechnology Workshop, (February 16, 2009 : Nagano, Japan), 2009.

The IRSST best practices guide to work safely with nanoparticles in research laboratories and occupational setting. in Inno.09 : La semaine de l'innovation, (23-24 avril, 2009 : Montréal, Canada), 2009.

Occupational health and safety issues with nanoparticles. in Atelier nano-safety : Institut canadien pour les innovations en photonique, (21 janvier, 2009 : Montréal, Canada), 2009.

Best practices guide to synthetic nanoparticle risk management. in Occupational Health and Safety of Nanoparticles IRSST-JNIOSH Workshop, (February 17, 2009 : Tokyo), 2009.

A best practices guide to work safety with nanoparticles in research laboratories and occupational settings. in Imagine, Innovate and Inspire : Health & Safety Canada 2009 - IAPA Conference & Trade Show (April 20-22, 2009 : Toronto, Canada), 2009.

Working safely with nanoparticles: the Quebec good practices guide. in International Conference on Nanotechnology - Occupational and Environmental Health, (4th : August, 26-29, 2009 : Helsinki, Finland), 2009.

Nanomaterials and OHS : towards the production of a guide of good practices. in Innovative Strategies for Safer & Healthier Workplaces : Health & Safety Canada 2007 - IAPA Conference & Trade Show (April 16-18, 2007 : Toronto, Canada), 2007.

Nanotechnologies - Maîtriser les risques pour la santé et la sécurité - Volume 22, no 4, p. 22-24.

Nanotechnologies - Maîtriser les risques pour la santé et la sécurité - Volume 22, n^o 4, p. 22-24.