What We Do
The rapid and significant industrial growth of manufactured nanomaterials has raised questions about the risks they may pose to human health.
As part of efforts to mitigate the risks associated with these technologies, Santé publique France was mandated [DGS-DGT referral of August 28, 2007] to design and implement a nationwide epidemiological surveillance program for workers exposed to manufactured nanomaterials.
Epidemiological surveillance of workers exposed to manufactured nanomaterials: the national EpiNano system
In 2007, Santé publique France was tasked by the Directorate General for Health (DGS) and the Directorate General for Labor (DGT) with establishing a national epidemiological surveillance system for workers potentially exposed to nanomaterials (titanium dioxide, silica, carbon black, and carbon nanotubes), in response to concerns raised in the scientific literature.
The objective was to monitor potential health effects, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, while maintaining a comprehensive approach.
Following a feasibility study conducted in 2010, a prospective cohort study was established among workers to measure the health effects of occupational exposure to nanomaterials. Nevertheless, from the outset of its implementation in 2014, this initiative, known as EpiNano, faced deployment challenges, despite the implementation of changes aimed at optimizing, in particular, the mobilization of target institutions.
Ultimately, field experience highlighted difficulties in the recruitment process for institutions, linked in particular to the lack of regulatory incentives—necessary for a national epidemiological surveillance program—as well as logistical complexity and data collection challenges.
Since the surveillance objectives were not met, the EpiNano system was discontinued. All results of this work are included in a comprehensive report detailing the 10 years of operation of the EpiNano system.
Bibliographic References
(2017). Opinion of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety regarding a request for an opinion on dietary exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles. April 4, 2017. Reference No. 2017-SA-0020.
ANSES (2014). French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety. Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials. Challenges and Update on Current Knowledge. ANSES Opinion. Collective Expert Report. April 2014.
Bettini S, Boutet-Robinet E, Cartier C, Comera C, et al. (2017). "Food-grade TiO2 impairs intestinal and systemic immune homeostasis, initiates preneoplastic lesions, and promotes aberrant crypt development in the rat colon." Sci Rep 7: 40373.
Circ, M. d. (2017). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. List of classifications, Volumes 1–11.
Van Duuren-Stuurman B, Vink SR, Verbist KJ, Heussen HG, et al. (2012). "Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-based tool for risk prioritization of airborne manufactured nano objects." Ann Occup Hyg 56(5): 525-541.
