1st German Joint Working Table with National Authorities for Workers Safety “Safety in Nanotechnology: Threat or Opportunity?”
The 1st Joint Working Table with National Authorities for Workers Safety “Safety in Nanotechnology: Threat or Opportunity?” organized by Chemie-Cluster Bayern took place at the Rudolf-Mößbauer-Hörsaal of the Physics Department of the Technical University Munich on the 10.12.2012.
The working table featured five participants whose expertise ranged from production (opportunity-focus) to toxicology (risk-focus). In the introductory lecture, Dr. Tobias Stöger (Group Leader: Dynamics of Pulmonary Inflammation, Helmholtz Centre Munich) explained the molecular mechanisms by which certain materials cause inflammation in lungs. Particular attention was paid to the size, shape and surface charge of nanoparticles. The subsequent discussion featured a broad range of experts. Werner Handl (Managing Director of H.C. Carbon) as an expert for carbon materials (in particular graphite) gave an overview of the difference between different carbon-nanoparticles and emphasized, that in industry new materials are generally treated with highest precautions. Nanomaterials are no exception. Helmut Schmid (Head of Nanotechnology Special Branch at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology) said that research on the risks of nanomaterials needs to be product-focussed and not particle-focussed to be relevant for our everyday lives. Nanomaterials can also substitute large amounts of toxic materials and be cost-effective, ecological and green problems solvers (e.g. substitution of some organic antimicrobial substances by nano-Ag). Prof. Oliver Schneider (Chair for Technical Chemistry) highlighted the opportunities that arise from nanotechnology in academic research, which might lead to better catalysts and more efficient fuel cells. Dr. Richard Winterhalter (Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority) summarized results from measurements of particle concentrations at nanotechnology-related workplaces and reported that no increased levels of nanoparticles above the background concentrations could be observed if the common measures for occupational safety had been respected. Dr. Stöger illustrated new effects arising from the size of particles with the example carbon in bulk and its nano-forms. In conclusion, the discussion shed a light on some phenomena that are misperceived by the public and quite often also misrepresented by the media. What is needed here is a less emotional and more fact-based discussion the make responsible choices for the benefit of society.