Industrial, commercial and retail applications

A survey on industrial, commercial and retail applications of synthetic nanomaterials was conducted on behalf of Suva in 2007. 

The representative company survey revealed that around 600 establishments had used nanomaterials in 2007.

The study also showed

• The annual turnover and quantity of nanoparticles stored was low at most establishments and rarely exceeded a few hundred kilograms.
• Carbon black, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, polymers, silicon dioxide, zinc oxide and silver were substances in nano form used at establishments in larger quantities (>1 tonne per year).
• At these companies, about 1,300 employees potentially came into contact with nanomaterials (representing about 0.6% of the companies and around 0.08% of the workers in the Swiss manufacturing sector).
• Personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, etc., was used for worker safety.
• Technical solutions such as closed exhaust air systems were mentioned less frequently, and targeted environmental protection (e.g. wastewater specially treated or separated for nanoparticles, specific exhaust air and waste treatment) was declared in only a few cases.
  

Chart: Sectoral distribution of nanomaterial applications within Swiss industry, based on the 2007 survey.

This study was supported by the Federal Offices of Public Health (FOPH), for Environment (FOEN), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the French institute for health and safety at work (AFSSET).

Links

Further information

Swiss nano inventory 2008: An assessment of the usage of nanoparticles (Report of the University of Lausanne)

SUVA Fact Sheet 2012: Nanopartikel und ultrafeine Partikel am Arbeitsplatz (nanoparticles and ultrafine particles at the workplace)

Arbeitssicherheit: Nanomaterialen am Arbeitsplatz (Artikel 2020) (Occupational safety: nanomaterials at the workplace (2020 article))

Last modification 21.04.2022