WHO guidelines on protecting workers from potential risks of manufactured nanomaterials

Overview

The increased production of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) and their use in consumer and industrial products means that workers in all countries will be at the front line of any exposure, placing them at risk of potential adverse health effects.

The term “nanomaterials” refers to materials that have at least one dimension (height, width or length) that is smaller than 100 nanometres (10−7 metre), which is about the size of a virus particle. This particular size dimension, which falls between single atoms and their bulk material counterparts, represents a major characteristic of MNMs.

WHO proposes these guidelines to policy makers and professionals in the field of occupational health and safety with recommendations on how best to protect workers from the potential risks of MNMs.