Investigating the relationship between occupational exposure to nanomaterials and symptoms of nanotechnology companies' employees

Abstract

Purpose

The increasing use of nanomaterials in academic and industrial environments has raised concerns about the potential effects of these materials on human and the environment. Researches have shown that occupational exposure to nanomaterials can affect employees' health. Many companies are active in the field of nanotechnology in Iran. Therefore, this study was designed and conducted to investigate the relationship between the symptoms of these companies' employees and exposure to nanomaterials.

Methods

The study was conducted among employees of 52 nanotechnology companies in Tehran. For this study, the employees of these companies were categorized in two groups: "exposed" and "non-exposed" to nanomaterials. Data collection tools included the NanoTool method form and a nonspecific symptom questionnaire designed and validated by a team of 19 experts in various fields. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS.22 software.

Results

The results showed that the frequency of cutaneous (such as roughness, itching and redness), respiratory (such as cough, sneezing, and burning throat) and ocular (such as burning, itching and redness) symptoms were higher among the exposed workers to nanomaterials. Examination of the correlation between these symptoms in the two studied groups showed that symptoms with high frequency have a significant relationship with exposure to nanomaterials.

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of some symptoms among the employees of the studied companies and their association with exposure to nanomaterials, it seems necessary to take control measures to reduce the exposure of employees to nanomaterials and consequently reduce the Investigated symptoms.

Keywords:

• Nanomaterials
• nanosafety
• nanotechnology companies
• nanotoxicology
• nonspecific symptom questionnaire
• occupational exposure

Disclosure

Ethical approval

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences, with the code of ethics of IR.IUMS.REC. 1396.9511139007.

Informed consent

Questionnaires after coordinating were sent by email to nanotechnology companies. We had two groups exposed (direct exposure to nanomaterials) and non-exposed employees and it was so important that both groups have at least one year of work experience in nanotechnology companies. Also the volunteers had right to quit the project at any time without any possible consequences.

Registry and the registration no. of the study/trial

This study was registered at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (IR. IUMS . 9511139007).

Animal studies

N/A

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to appreciate the sincere cooperation of the directors and personnel of the nanotechnology companies in Tehran, Iran.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.