Earlier this year the Environment Agency gave some interim advice on the handling of carbon nanotubes.  These substances are on our emerging risks radar due to their similarity to asbestos fibres and potential health effects.

In a previous blog (”Carbon nanotechnology observed to cause asbestos-like injuries in mice“, July 11) I discussed this issue and commented on the risk frameworks that companies could follow to manage the environmental and health risks that may arise.

The Environment Agency’s advice (pdf, 1pg) is interesting because it targets certain groups: “those involved in synthesis or use of carbon nanotubes or in the management of the wastes produced”, and clarifies their duties to classify and correctly manage any waste produced involving the use of this technology.

Their statement notes that while our knowledge of health effects is incomplete there is enough cause for caution because “nanotubes may display hazardous properties either as irritant …  toxic … or carcinogenic ….”.  Therefore they advise that carbon nanotubes be classified as hazardous waste.  They specifically note that the material “may display physiological properties similar in nature to asbestos”.

Their briefing sheet also gives advice on the concentration of these particles that can be disposed of safely and discusses various waste disposal options concluding that incineration above 850 degrees centigrade is the preferred option but other methods, such as chemical breakdown, may be appropriate.

The insurance industry’s losses relating to asbestos have been considerable, so it is good to see the Environment Agency taking these issues seriously. Underwriters would be well advised to track their exposure to nanotechnologies where concern has been raised, and carbon nanotubes in particular.

Tags: Nanotechnology

This entry was posted by Trevor Maynard on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pm and is filed under Exposure Management.