| Summary: |
This report contains the survey results of 337 organizations invited to participate in an international survey of current environmental, health, and safety practices in the nanotechnology industry. 64 companies, research labs, and universities responded (a 19% response rate). In general, responding organizations believed that there are special risks to working with nanomaterials, stated that they are implementing nano-specific safety programs, and are actively seeking more information. Reported practices include engineering controls, personal protective equipment, cleanup methods, and waste management. However, few organizations reported that they monitored their workplace for nanoparticle and in the absence of specific guidance, there is no consensus on what precautions and processes to implement. There were also geographical differences noted, with North American organizations more likely to have invested in expensive ventilation systems and European organizations more likely to have conducted toxicological research. |