Guideline for companies: Use of nanomaterials in the paint and varnish sector

Numerous predominantly SMEs in the paint and coatings industry are based in Hesse and use nanotechnology in their products at various stages of the value chain. The guide is intended to provide these companies, as well as those that are just planning to use nanomaterials, with guidance on critical issues relating to in-house occupational health and safety and environmental protection and to provide recommendations on how to deal with nanomaterials.

This company guideline thus supplements the existing guidelines and recommendations for action on handling nanomaterials with further aspects of nanosafety. The starting point here is primarily the types and functionalities of the nanoscale raw materials currently available on the market . nanoscale raw , auxiliary and operating materials currently available on the market .

Measures are then presented to ensure that the research and subsequent production of paint and varnish products are designed to reduce the exposure of employees, the environment and the population as well as the (human and eco-) toxicological risk of the nanomaterials used.