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Use of nanomaterials in the European construction industry and some occupational health aspects thereof

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Abstract

In the European construction industry in 2009, the use of engineered nanoparticles appears to be confined to a limited number of products, predominantly coatings, cement and concrete. A survey among representatives of workers and employers from 14 EU countries suggests a high level of ignorance about the availability and use of nanomaterials for the construction industry and the safety aspects thereof. Barriers for a large-scale acceptance of products containing engineered nanoparticles (nanoproducts) are high costs, uncertainties about long-term technical material performance, as well as uncertainties about health risks of nanoproducts. Workplace measurements suggest a modest exposure of construction workers to nanoparticles (NPs) associated with the use of nanoproducts. The measured particles were within a size range of 20–300 nm, with the median diameter below 53 nm. Positive assignment of this exposure to the nanoproduct or to additional sources of ultrafine particles, like the electrical equipment used was not possible within the scope of this study and requires further research. Exposures were below the nano reference values proposed on the basis of a precautionary approach.

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Notes

  1. In this article, a nanopoduct is considered to be a product in which engineered nanoparticles are used to influence the specific properties and to improve the performance.

  2. FIEC Fédération de l’Industrie Européenne de la Construction.

  3. EFBWW European Federation of Building and Wood Workers.

  4. Technical product information of the product Environ-X, provided by the supplier NanoServices.

  5. HBR-OEL Health-based recommended occupational exposure limit. (maximum permissible concentration of a given gas, vapor, fiber or dust in the air at the workplace).

  6. DNEL Derived no-effect level. (Within REACH the level above which humans should not be exposed).

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Acknowledgments

The study was granted by the European Commission, Directorate General Employment by the grant agreement no. VS/2008/0500–SI2.512656 within the context of the European Social Dialogue in the Construction Industry. The authors like to thank the companies (construction companies, raw material producers, product manufacturers, waste processing), the industrial branch organisations, R&D institutes and individuals for their valuable contributions to the study, the insights provided and their openness in discussions. The Stichting Arbouw, the Dutch bipartite expertise institute for occupational health and safety in the construction industry, granted the exposure measurements. The authors like to thank Jan Uitzinger for help with the statistical analysis.

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  1. IVAM UvA BV, Plantage Muidergracht 14, 1018TV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Pieter van Broekhuizen, Fleur van Broekhuizen & Ralf Cornelissen

  2. University of Amsterdam, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Lucas Reijnders

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  1. Pieter van Broekhuizen
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  2. Fleur van Broekhuizen
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  3. Ralf Cornelissen
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Correspondence to Pieter van Broekhuizen.

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van Broekhuizen, P., van Broekhuizen, F., Cornelissen, R. et al. Use of nanomaterials in the European construction industry and some occupational health aspects thereof. J Nanopart Res 13, 447–462 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-0195-9

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