Nano-technologies from the aspect of human environment and safety and health at work

Abstract

In the last couple of years the term ″nano-technology″ is very often used to describe process technologies and analytical techniques used during synthesis of materials in ultra fine range of magnitude of the millionth fraction of a millimeter. Considering that they will have a significant impact on human activities in the 21st century it is right to consider they represent a flywheel of the following industrial revolution. On the other side, an exceptional surface activity of nano-particles can cause different effects, which do not always have a positive influence on work, as well as on human environment. An analysis of inter-relation of nano-technologies and human environment is carried out in this paper taking into account the origin of particles, i.e. the route of their processing. The influence of nano-technologies on internal environment, i.e. work surroundings is analyzed from the aspect of safety and health at work. Apart from that, a particular attention is paid to prevent nano-particles releasing, whereas a survey of the developed techniques of nano-particles separation is presented.