Meeting with Finnish Institute of Occupational Health

On last Friday, 15^th of April, we went to visit Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Työterveyslaitos, TTL), which was the final meeting out of the total of six meetings. Altogether six researcher and experts were there to be interviewed. This spring 2011 European Commission has announced the NanoSafety Research Centre of TTL to lead the NanoSafety Cluster in Europe during two years. At the moment they have 7 big EU-projects going on related to nanomaterials. TTL’s research is mainly concentrating to health and environmental aspects of nanomaterials in workplaces where nanomaterials are produced. The research is three dimensional including risk estimation, defining the real exposure in workplaces and risk assessment work. This data will be valuable for the legislators. 

Like in previous meetings the message was clear that the health and safety research of nanomaterials is lacking behind of the nanotechnology development. They also mentioned that maybe big international companies like BASF and Bayer are already ahead in the research compared the public research because the safety of their products it’s a crucial thing for them. Some countries in Europe like Great Britain, France, German and Sweden have already their own nanostrategy. In Finland this kind of strategy will be structured in coming years.

Important thing is not just research but also understand what the results mean. For example TiO₂ was discovered to be toxic when tested with rats by using very high doses. But this is same thing with every other particle when they are small enough, because inhalation is the most common exposure route. Also other publications have reported similar effects but these kinds of publications have to be discounted and examined carefully before any conclusions.   

TTL’s key message was that open communication is needed to avoid prejudices. Nanomaterials are important thing for many industries because of their good properties. Nanotechnology will create new jobs and help the success of the European industry. TTL’s job is to make sure these materials are safe to use, so no harmful releases to the environment will happen. The data their produce will also help to regulate nanomaterials.