Australian Unions Call for Nano Information

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) says that Australian workers need more information to protect themselves from the risks of nanomaterials, citing the findings in a new report commissioned by Safe Work Australia.

Renata Musolino, nanotechnology spokesperson for the ACTU, said "[W]e need urgent changes to ensure adequate information is reaching workplaces, so that employers can comply with their general duties under occupational, health and safety legislation."

The new report, to be released shortly, found that only 18 percent of Material Safety Data Sheets had reliable safety warnings, and information of exposure standards and controls was inadequate. Musolino says while the industrial chemicals regulator, NICNAS, is proposing changes to regulations for nanotechnology other things can be done in the short term. She wants MSDSs to give information on the size of nanomaterials, their bio-persistence and other characteristics that can help workers take the necessary precautions.

Musolino said that the quality of information about carbon nanotubes is of particular concern, and called for action to protect workers from exposure.

"This report has illustrated serious shortcomings in the sort of information that's available and it has clearly said there is an urgent need for improvement," she said, "There are lots of things that can be done that will offer protection to workers. What's missing is the information to trigger people to actually implement them."

Source: ABC Science