Occupational Exposure Risks to Nanomaterials in Puerto Rico

Technology-based companies in Puerto Rico look to advances in materials science to innovate and create new products to sell worldwide. One of these technologies is the development and advancement of nanotechnologies.
 
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and devices. This technology promises scientific advancement in sectors such as medicine, consumer products, energy, materials and manufacturing.
 
Engineered nanomaterials are materials that have been purposefully manufactured, synthesized or manipulated to have a size with at least one dimension in the range of approximately 1 to 100 nanometers and that exhibit unique properties determined by their size according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).  
 
“At this near-atomic size, materials often begin to exhibit unique properties that affect physical, chemical and biological behavior,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “People working in industries that utilize nanomaterials have the potential to be exposed to these engineered materials through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion.”
 
NIOSH reports that occupational health risks associated with manufacturing and using nanomaterials are not yet clearly understood.  Companies and institutions researching and utilizing nanomaterials in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean can turn to the indoor environmental quality experts at Zimmetry to help prevent occupational exposure to these materials.  Zimmetry’s experts can help with eliminating or reducing hazards and exposures, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers.
 
Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about nanomaterials and occupational exposure concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/1lGc5OeGdjA 
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their occupational exposure, indoor air quality, environmental, or compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail