A view of occupational risk prevention by researchers in the Nanosciences, but not exposed to nanomaterials

Abstract

Exposition to nanomaterials in the workplace is an important new emerging risk. The research environment, in particular researchers who manipulate nanomaterials, is the first phase in the nanoproduct life cycle where exposition to nanomaterials takes place. However this paper focuses its attention on workers that carry out their job in research facilities but are not exposed directly to these materials. The main objective is to gain some insight into the general level of knowledge these workers have regarding the prevention of nanorisks in university and public research centres. To this end, a questionnaire validated by an expert panel was sent by email to 64 Spanish researchers. The results are discussed using a descriptive analysis and show that significant misinformation surrounds this issue. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, London.