UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the leaders in research devoted to nanotechnology. Currently, there is limited occupational safety information on nanoparticles and nanomaterials in the university research environment. The Department of Environment, Health & Safety wants to ensure that employees using nanotechnology are aware of the potential hazards and risks involved and the control measures that should be utilized to limit exposures. The UNC-CH Nanotechnology Safety Policy proactively addresses the safety issues in the emerging field of nanotechnology and ensures that University employees performing nanotechnology research are aware of the potential hazards and risks involved and the control measures that should be utilized to limit exposures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have published a pamphlet on Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace. If you perform nanotechnology research please review and discuss with your principal investigator and colleagues. The pamphlet will inevitably generate additional questions regarding proper engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) specific to the nanotechnology research your laboratory performs. The Department of Environment, Health & Safety has generated aSummary of Recommended Nanomaterial Risk Levels that will help when addressing these issues and performing a risk assessment on your specific research.

Several additional nanotechnology safety resources are also listed below. If you have further questions or would like a workplace nanotechnology safety evaluation please contact Chemical Safety at chemsafety@office.unc.edu.

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Nanotechnology Safety - Environment, Health and Safety