Guide To Nanotechnology Launched This Week

The International Council on Nanotechnology, has launched a new open-source website offering information on the safe handling of nanomaterials.

ICON introduced the GoodNanoGuide, which is described as “a highly collaborative, interactive resource by and for the occupational safety and nanotechnology communities, law and industry”.

The guide has been designed as a practical tool for people who handle nanomaterials as well as an online repository of safety protocols. It has been developed by experts from the worlds of nanotechnology, occupational safety and business and is governed by an implementation committee from North America and Europe.

But just what is Nanomaterials? Well, according to the website this is the definition:

"A material having a physicochemical structure on a scale greater than typically atomic/ molecular dimensions but less than 100 nm (nanostructure), which exhibits physical, chemical and/or biological characteristics associated with its nanostructure."

All GoodNanoGuide content is freely available via the website and visitors may add their comments by becoming “community members”, while experts may contribute and edit protocols by becoming “expert providers”.

Introducing the guide, ICON Director Kristen Kulinowski, said, “Governmental agencies and occupational researchers are generating a lot of good information about how to handle nanomaterials safely. The GoodNanoGuide points to and supplements these resources with specific protocols that can be used by workers in any setting where they are being handled.”

The intent of the website is detailed in its 'mission' statement:

"The GoodNanoGuide is an Internet-based collaboration platform specially designed to enhance the ability of experts to exchange ideas on how best to handle nanomaterials in an occupational setting. It is meant to be an interactive forum that fills the need for up-to-date information about current good practices for managing nanomaterials in a work-related environment, highlighting new practices as they develop. However, while the GNG recognizes the dialogue now being held worldwide regarding the overall effect nanotechnologies may have on human health, the environment, and society in general, the GNG is not meant, at least initially, to address or resolve those issues. Instead, it assumes that someone, somewhere in the world is probably working with nanomaterials as this debate continues, and thus it endeavors to provide information to that person about current good practices so they can assess and manage risks in working with nanomaterials in an occupational setting.

The GoodNanoGuide is open for everyone to peruse. Nonetheless, to ensure the dependability of the good practices reported, the GNG is a protected site in which contributions are limited to experts in the area, or "providers." To find out how to become an Expert Provider, please use the information that appears on the GNG Community page and submit a registration. Individuals who would like to help the GNG develop without becoming an Expert Provider can become a Community Member by submitting their registration, or can simply contribute to the GNG Forum."

The guide is broken down into several sections from Basic to Expert and access is available to all sections for the purpose of research and details best practice in the handling of nano substances. The basic section is for those who know very little about nanotechnology and explains the issues in everyday language enabling USRs to understand the technology and the health issues involved.

You can take a look at the new website which is currently in Beta (testing) format here

Source: Croners / ICON

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