Need for risk governance

WITH the emergence of nanotechnology and its increased use by industries there is an urgent need for risk governance in the interest of safety and health.

As progress is being made on all fronts in the use of nanotechnology, more work and research is needed by the academia, policymakers, industrial sectors and the public to ensure that risk governance of nanotechnology is upheld in order to fulfil the potential of this existing technology.

It is estimated that more than 1% of the value of products currently in the market contain nanomaterials as critical components or uses nanotechnology in the manufacturing process.

In the coming decade the use of nanomaterials is expected to increase to 10% leading to a rapid expansion of nanotechnology that will certainly have an impact in our everyday life.

The early stage of nanotechnology mainly focused on substances like gold, silver, zinc, titania and carbon black.

Since then new and diverse technology has emerged such as carbon nano-tubes and graphene.

They are found in consumer products such as cosmetics to IT and semi-conductors.

In the coming years the AsiaPacific region will play a key role in the industrial production of nanorelated products.

Those who may be at risk are the industrial workers, researchers and consumers of the finished products.

As such adequate guidelines for handling of nanoparticles and nanorelated products are essential.

For instance, workers in factories producing nano-products may be exposed to air-borne nanoparticles without knowledge and adequate protection.

Consumers may unknowingly come into direct contact with other nanomaterial commercial products other than cosmetics, which will have an impact on human health and the environment.

It is thus vital for more research to be done by all the stakeholders and steps must be taken to disseminate more information to the public on the risk and safety of nanomaterials and nanotechnology.

Researched information on safety and toxicity is needed and must be shared with the public.

A proper risk governance system needs to be introduced and implemented to ensure sustainable development of this useful and high potential technology.

To ensure sustainable development of nanotechnology in Malaysia, it may be necessary to introduce a National Nanosafety and Ethics Policy if such a policy does not already exist.

Malaysia should also work towards nanotechnology work health and safety which has to:

> Ensure that nanotechnology is covered appropriately in the work health and safety regulatory framework;

> Improve understanding of the hazardous properties of nanomaterials among workers and managements;

> Access the effectiveness of workplace controls in preventing exposure to the harmful effects of nanomaterials;

> Develop procedures for measuring the emissions and exposure of nanomaterials in workplaces; and

> Provide information and guidance for nanotechnology organisations in all aspects about the many risks and hazards associated with the technology.

It is estimated that there were about 400,000 workers employed in nanotechnology industries worldwide in 2010 and this number is expected to rise to six million by 2020.