Nanoparticles are defined as particles smaller than 100 nanometers (nm) in at least one dimension. In occupational settings, individuals may be exposed to a variety of nanoparticles. Since the early 2000s, the introduction of nanotechnology across a wide range of industrial applications has enabled precise manipulation of matter at the nanometric scale, leading to significant advancements in material performance and functionality (Roco 2011). In some industries, engineered nanoparticles, also referred to as engineered nanomaterials, are intentionally used or produced during manufacturing processes. In others, nanoparticles are generated unintentionally, for example as by-products of combustion processes, production processes, or the mechanical processing of materials. These unintentionally produced particles are often referred to as UFP or process-generated nanoparticles (Joudeh and Linke 2022; Stacey 2019; Manigrasso et al. 2019; Moreira, Ferreira, and Barros 2024). With the rapid growth of nanotechnology applications over the past two decades across sectors such as healthcare, electronics, and agriculture, the number of workers potentially exposed to nanoparticles is increasing steadily (Joudeh and Linke 2022; Visser et al. 2022; Ohlwein et al. 2019). The progressive growth of nanoparticle handling in work environments, however, occurs with significant knowledge gaps in workplace nanosafety. There are particular concerns among (occupational) health professionals and policy makers about the potential adverse health outcomes resulting from exposures to nanoparticles at work. Compared to larger particles, nanoparticles hold unique physicochemical properties that may contribute to a range of adverse health effects (Joudeh and Linke 2022). Consequently, workers exposed to high concentrations of these particles may face an increased risk of long-term or irreversible health outcomes. It is essential that occupational health professionals understand and recognize the potential health effects associated with exposure to nanoparticles. However, both the specific health risks of occupational exposure to nanoparticles and the diagnostic techniques required for early detection remain poorly understood. This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on the health effects of occupational exposure to nanoparticles, summarize available diagnostic methods for early detection of these effects in occupational health settings, and to identify knowledge gaps in existing research.
Jochems et al. (Thu,) studied this question.