Safety and risks associated with the use of nanomaterials

Nanomateriale se zaradi izrednih fizikalno-kemijskih lastnosti uporablja na različnih področjih in so tako vse pogosteje prisotni na delovnih mestih, kar pomeni vse večje število izpostavljenih delavcev. Nanomateriale predstavljajo delci izredno majhnih velikosti, ki lažje vstopijo v človeško telo kot večji delci. Ti delci se lahko akumulirajo v tkivih in ovirajo normalno delovanje organov. Delci, ki so nerazgradljivi ali težko razgradljivi, preobremenijo fagocite in povzročajo številne bolezni. Dokazi o zdravstvenih tveganjih povezanih z uporabo nanomaterialov se povečujejo. Ker gre za področje, ki je v razvoju, je še veliko neznanega. Področje nanotehnologije se razvija veliko hitreje kot znanje o učinkih nanomaterialov na zdravje. Pomanjkanje teh informacij vpliva na ocenjevanje prisotnih tveganj. Izrednega pomena je obvladovanje potencialnih tveganj ob sočasnem ohranjanju uporabnih lastnosti nanomaterialov.Due to their exceptional physico-chemical properties, nanomaterials are used in various fields and are thus increasingly present in the workplace, which means an increasing number of exposed workers. Nanomaterials are particles of extremely small size that are known to enter the human body more easily than larger particles. These particles can accumulate in tissues and disrupt the normal functioning of organs. If the particles are non-degradable or difficult to degrade, they overload the phagocytes and cause many diseases. Evidence of health risks associated with the use of nanomaterials is increasing. Since this is still a developing field, much remains unknown despite ongoing research. The field of nanotechnology is evolving much faster than knowledge about the health of nanomaterials. The lack of information also affects the assessment of the risks involved. It is extremely important to plan the mitigation of potential risks while maintaining the useful properties of nanomaterials