Occupational medicine implications of engineered nanoscale particulate matter

The imminent nanotechnology revolution promises dramatic advancements in science, technology, medicine and society as a whole. First generation products containing engineered nanoscale materials are already appearing in the marketplace, while more sophisticated products are being developed in laboratories around the world. Researchers and manufacturing employees are potentially exposed to dispersible nanoscale particulate matter via inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. Preliminary research indicates that in some cases nanoparticulate matter may be more toxic than other forms of the same or similar material. Application of the classical tools of occupational medicine and industrial hygiene is hampered by the lack of consensus guidelines for medical monitoring, exposure assessment, and exposure control.