Nanotechnology: The next big thing, or much ado about nothing?
Nanotechnology: The next big thing, or much ado about nothing?
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DOI：
10.1093/annhyg/mel071
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发表时间：
2007-01-01
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Maynard, Andrew D.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Maynard, Andrew D.
纳米技术涵盖了在纳米尺度上操纵物质的日益复杂的能力，从而产生了表现出新的和不寻常行为的新材料、产品和设备。尽管新兴纳米技术具有巨大的好处，但人们越来越担心，它们具有吸引力的相同属性也会给人类健康带来新的风险。迄今为止的研究表明，一些特意制造的纳米材料会因其结构和化学成分而产生危害，从而对许多传统的风险评估和管理方法提出了挑战。如果要出现基于纳米技术的安全业务，参与制造和使用这些材料的人们需要知道风险是什么以及如何管理风险。然而，职业卫生界在确保纳米工作场所安全方面面临着巨大的挑战。目前，我们有足够的知识表明一些工程纳米材料将带来新的和不寻常的风险，但关于如何识别、评估和控制这些风险的信息很少。许多纳米材料现已投入生产和使用。良好的职业卫生习惯和有关危险物质工作的现有知识为安全地使用纳米材料提供了有用的基础。但是，如果现有知识失效，就需要新的研究来填补空白：必须进行战略管理，并有针对性地及时解决具体问题。如果不采取这些步骤，最终将导致人们的健康受到威胁，新兴的纳米技术陷入困境。然而，凭借远见、可靠的科学和战略研究，我们有机会确保新兴纳米技术尽可能安全，同时充分发挥其潜力。
Nanotechnology encompasses an increasingly sophisticated ability to manipulate matter at the nanoscale, resulting in new materials, products and devices that demonstrate new and unusual behaviour. While emerging nanotechnologies have great potential for good, there are increasing concerns that the selfsame attributes that make them attractive will also lead to new risks to human health. Research to date suggests that some purposely made nanomaterials will present hazards based on their structure-as well as their chemistry-thus challenging many conventional approaches to risk assessment and management. People involved in making and using these materials need to know what the risks are and how to manage them, if safe nanotechnology-based businesses are to emerge. Yet the challenges faced by the occupational hygiene community in ensuring safe nano-workplaces are substantial. We currently know enough to suggest that some engineered nanomaterials will present new and unusual risks, but there is very little information on how these risks can be identified, assessed and controlled. And many nanomaterials are in production and use now. Good occupational hygiene practices and existing knowledge on working with hazardous substances provide a useful basis for working safely with nanomaterials. But where existing knowledge fails, new research is needed to fill the gaps: this must be strategically administered and targeted to addressing specific issues in a timely manner. Failing to take these steps will ultimately lead to people's health being endangered and emerging nanotechnologies floundering. However, with foresight, sound science and strategic research, we have the opportunity to ensure that emerging nanotechnologies are as safe as possible, while reaching their full potential.