Iran Occupational Health

Background and aims: The development of nanotechnology has result in the creation of new job opportunities and economic growth. But the lack of sufficient information about the toxicity and occupational exposure limits to nanomaterials on the toxicity and occupational exposure limits established nanomaterials always has created concerns. In this study design and providing of a simple software package based on Control Banding recommended by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), for assessing the risk of occupational exposure to nanomaterials.

Methods: In this experimental study, C # 2010 software was utilized in order to design the software package. first, the general principles of Control Banding risk assessment method recommended by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) analyzed carefully. Then, all primary and secondary factors with their relative importance (weight) and influence on the risk level were considered exactly in the design software. Finally, the proposed package was used to assess the individual exposure to nanomaterials in several research laboratories.

Results: From these results, the average (RL2) and acceptable (RL1) risk levels obtained at work stations that manipulated multi-wall nanotubes (MWNT) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂₎ respectively.

Conclusion: The proposed package could be used as a simple, reliable, fast, and easy tool to assess the risk of occupational exposure to nanomaterials. It also will able to provide appropriate solutions to improve working conditions for employees if implement control measures are needed.