Towards a responsible development of Nanomaterials EVONIK Occupational Health Policy Dr. Hans-Jürgen Wiegand, Global Coordination Product Stewardship Evonik Degussa GmbH February 2009 CASG Workshop
Responsible Care at Evonik Evonik is represented in the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Evonik management systems including a chemicals management system for implementing Product Stewardship - are certified under DIN ISO 14000 We have ratified the RC Global Charter Former Degussa has a sustainability history as stock listed company
Responsible Care Environmental Protection Product Stewardship Employee Health and Safety Process Safety Distribution Safety Communication February 2009 CASG Workshop
Evonik Degussa s company policy for Nanotechnology The six principles of our company s policy on Nanotechnology 1. Processes 2. Governance 3. Communication in the supply chain 4. Dialogue with stakeholders 5. Transparency 6. Risk Management Page 4
Definition Nanomaterials Nano-object Nanoparticles Nanostructured Aggregate Chemically bonded 100 nm Fused, chemically bonded primary particles Agglomerates Van der Waals forces Particles or aggregates stick together via van der Waals Forces Half life time of isolated 20 nm particles above 1 mg/m³ < 3,8 s Preining (1998) The physical nature of very, very small particles and its impact on their behaviour. J. Aerosol Sci. 29, 481-495
Disintegration needs high energy Agglomerated aggregates Aggregates Strong shear forces Re-Agglomeration No disintegration without strong shear forces Immediate re-agglomeration without stabilizing surfactants
Exposure Measurements of Particulates Workplace Measurements Since 2000 joint measurements with University of Duisburg/IUTA* Since 2006 internal measurements in R&D, Applied Technology Laboratories and Production Products: Carbon Black, Synthetic Amorphous Silica (pyrogenic /precipitated), Titania, Alumina, Zinc Oxide, Ceria At failure-free operation no significant increase of the particle (< 100 nm) number concentration Increase of particulates < 100nm proven by gas driven pallett shrinking equipments, disel fork lifters, truck traffic and water ring pumps * IUTA = Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e.v., Duisburg
Workplace Safety Exposure Minimization Measures Technical measures Process Avoid release of dust by use of closed systems Process runs below atmospheric pressure Minimization of exposed employees by use of automatic bagging equipments Organizational measures Individual protection equipments Training Instruction Cleanliness - Good workplace hygiene (e.g., personal hygiene, washingrooms, break-rooms)
Data from occupational medical surveillance confirm safe production Rheinfelden Synthetic Amorphous Silica plant Examination: every 3 years Content of examination: case history, medical talk physical examination, Lung Function test, blood examination, urinal test, eye and hearing test, ECG Since 35 years: regular occupational medical examinations at the Rheinfelden AEROSIL -plant Result: these examinations did not show any sign of a increased number of respiratory disease cases
Information in the value chain EU Safety Data Sheet REACH Regulation (EG) Nr. 1907/2006 Title 4 (Annex II) Based on hazard information Safety data (e.g. protection against dust explosion electrostatic charges) Product and Technical Informations and Brochures and Particle sizes Storage Packaging information Safety data Handling of dispersions
Pyrogenic silica Example for a non hazardous nanomaterial safety data sheets for non hazardous material issued recommendation: minimize exposure Avoid dust formation Germany OEL specific for Synthetic Amorphous Silica: 4mg/m3 Inhalable
Comprehensive safety data available Safety data sheet AEROSIL 200 no adverse effects safety data sheet publicly available http://www.evonik.com products chemicals Nanostructured Silica passed OECD High Production Volume Program Low priority for further work
REACH registration of nanostructured materials For following nano materials REACH Consortia are already formed under active participation of Evonik Synthetic amorphous Silica Carbon Black Titania Alumina Lead Registrant: Evonik For Synthetic Amorphous Silica and Carbon Black the REACH dossiers were submitted in January 2009 and registration numbers were received
February 2009 CASG Workshop