Questionable safety practices in nanotechnology labs around the world

Questionable safety practices in nanotechnology labs around the world (Nanowerk Spotlight) The discussion about nanotechnology related safety issues so far has focused mainly on three areas � consumers getting exposed to products containing nanomaterials; nanomaterials getting released into the environment and potentially entering the food chain (read "Nanotechnology's impact on major food crops" and "Investigating potential nanotechnology risks at the bottom of the food chain"); and industrial workers being exposed to nanomaterials during the production process (see "Protecting nanotechnology workers"). There is an increasing number of reports and research papers dealing with these issues. For a good overview see here "Approaches to safe nanotechnology ", here ("Governing the risk of nanotechnology in food and cosmetics ") and here ("European nanotechnology research addressing health and environmental impact of nanoparticles"). Interestingly, while surveys of nanotechnology safety practices have concentrated on industrial settings, the safety issues of a significant number of people working with nanomaterials have not been addressed in a concerted matter � the researchers at university and private research laboratories who are doing all the early stage R&D. According to a survey conducted by a Spanish research group, it appears that the nanotechnology research community is not exactly at the forefront when it comes to following, not to mention setting, standards for safe practices for handling nanomaterials.

via www.nanowerk.com

While this may very well be true in some settings, it is never a good idea to generalize such practices across all research communities.