Control banding applied to engineered nanomaterials: Short review

Abstract

Control Banding (CB) methodology is one of the approaches developed on assessment and management of the risk of hazardous substances exposure. In the last decade, several CB tools were developed regarding workers' exposure to nanomaterials. This review intends to identify CB methods already applied in occupational settings in industrial activities and laboratories with exposure to nanomaterials, aiming to help the selection of a CB tool to be applied in a specific scenario, allowing to achieve most reliable results. The results of the data base search revealed seven CB tools applied to laboratories and industrial activities. Although the similarities, these tools present differences that may affect the consistency of the resulting conclusions. CB methodologies allow to define priorities in applying adequate control measures. However, the results also indicate that workplaces measurements and its comparison with CB results are valuable to support possible future adjustments to seek more consistent results. (c) 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, London.