ASSEA is conducting an review of the potential adverse effects to human health posed by exposure to silica nanoparticles.
Although exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is recognised as a cause of a number of diseases, most notably silicosis, consideration of the adverse health effects of RCS has often rarely taken into account of the role that may be played by differing sized particles, especially those on the nanoscale. In recent years, links between exposure to a range of nanoparticles and adverse health outcomes have been reported.
ASSEA is conducting an review of the potential adverse effects to human health posed by exposure to silica nanoparticles. The aims of this are to:
- review the research that has investigated health outcomes following exposure to nano-scale silica particles
- summarise the findings of that research
- interpret those findings in the context of emerging applications of nanosilica products, particularly agriculture.
We envisage that this information will give a greater foundational background to the provision of advice on the need to protect workers and the general public from these particles.