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Ethical and scientific issues of nanotechnology in the workplace
Schulte, Paul A; Salamanca-Buentello, Fabio.
  • Schulte, Paul A; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cincinnati. US
  • Salamanca-Buentello, Fabio; University of Toronto. Joint Centre for Bioethics. Toronto. CA
Ciênc. Saúde Colet. (Impr.) ; 12(5): 1319-1332, set.-out. 2007. tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-459461
ABSTRACT
In the absence of scientific clarity about the potential health effects of occupational exposure to nanoparticles, a need exists for guidance in decisionmaking about hazards, risks, and controls. An identification of the ethical issues involved may be useful to decision makers, particularly employers, workers, investors, and health authorities. Because the goal of occupational safety and health is the prevention of disease in workers, the situations that have ethical implications that most affect workers have been identified. These situations include the a) identification and communication of hazards and risks by scientists, authorities, and employers; b) workers' acceptance of risk; c) selection and implementation of controls; d) establishment of medical screening programs; and e) investment in toxicologic and control research. The ethical issues involve the unbiased determination of hazards and risks, nonmaleficence (doing no harm), autonomy, justice, privacy, and promoting respect for persons. As the ethical issues are identified and explored, options for decision makers can be developed. Additionally, societal deliberations about workplace risks of nanotechnologies may be enhanced by special emphasis on small businesses and adoption of a global perspective.
RESUMO
Na ausência de evidência quanto a potenciais efeitos da exposição a nanopartículas sobre a saúde ocupacional, existe necessidade de orientação para os gestores a respeito dos riscos, perigos e dos possíveis controles. A identificação de questões éticas envolvidas é útil, particularmente para empregadores, empregados, investidores e autoridades de saúde, uma vez que o sentido e a meta da segurança ocupacional e de saúde é a prevenção de doenças para os trabalhadores. Essa situação inclui (a) identificação e comunicação de riscos por cientistas, autoridades e empregadores; (b) aceitação dos riscos por parte dos trabalhadores; (c) seleção e implementação de controles; (d) estabelecimento de programas de detecção precoce; e (e) investimento em toxicologia e pesquisas de vigilância. A questão ética envolve determinação imparcial de riscos, não maleficência, autonomia, justiça, privacidade e promoção do respeito às pessoas. Identificadas e exploradas as questões éticas, várias opções se abrem ao gestor. Adicionalmente, deliberações societais acerca dos riscos no local de trabalho com nanotecnologia podem fundamentar a escolha por pequenos negócios dentro de uma perspectiva global.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Occupational Exposure / Nanotechnology Type of study: Etiology study / Risk factors Limits: Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Ciênc. Saúde Colet. (Impr.) Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2007 Type: Article Affiliation country: Canada / United States Institution/Affiliation country: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/US / University of Toronto/CA

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Occupational Exposure / Nanotechnology Type of study: Etiology study / Risk factors Limits: Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Ciênc. Saúde Colet. (Impr.) Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2007 Type: Article Affiliation country: Canada / United States Institution/Affiliation country: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/US / University of Toronto/CA