The French Agency for Food, Environment, Health and Occupational Safety (Anses) has developed a new risk assessment technique to control possible risks from exposure to nanoparticles. Anses has proposed using a method known as “control banding” – a tool originally developed for the pharmaceutical industry – that is designed to guide risk management in fields where there is uncertainty about the required data needed. According to Anses, the uncertainty centers on both the hazards of nanomaterials as well as exposure levels. The system uses both existing information, but also makes a number of assumptions. New nanotechnology-based products, under the system, would be allocated “bands” based on the hazard level of known or similar products, while also taking work environment exposure into account. Minimum prevention measures, for individuals or collectively, would be derived by combining qualitative risk assessment with a risk control band. “The tool thus allows risk managers to apply a graduated response by taking into account both the potential hazards represented by the nanomaterials concerned and the estimated levels of exposure,” said French scientists.
http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Public-Concerns/France-issues-nano-risk-management-method