Nanotechnology is a futuristic interdisciplinary
technology with considerable economical
perspectives. It deals with methods
for changing the properties of materials by
changing the sizes of structures in the nanometer
range. As the general public become
more aware of the potential of nanotechnology,
the question is raised, as with
all new technologies, as to the ecological
persistence of nanotechnological products.
Here occupational and environmental medicine
come into play.
In the present paper nanotechnology is
introduced briefly and the possible release
of nanostructured materials into the environment
is discussed. The most important
exposure pathway to released nanoparticles
is considered to be via inhalation of contaminated
air. For evaluation of exposure to
nanoparticles, the concentration of particles
expressed as particle number but also
as particle surface area is important. Newly
developed assay measurement techniques
are introduced briefly. Finally consequences
for health and safety at work and in the environment
and initial measures proposed for
occupational and environmental medicine are
discussed.
