Assessment of the use of substances in hydraulic fracturing of shale gas reservoirs under REACH

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique that has been applied for stimulation of conventional oil and gas wells in the US since many years. The recent developments in high volume hydraulic fracturing combined with directional/horizontal drilling techniques have made the gas trapped into unconventional reservoirs such as shale formations economically exploitable. In the US, shale gas has become an important energy resource. In the EU, there is limited experience in the use of these techniques and research/experimental drilling activities have been performed in some Member States where shale gas reservoirs are present. In this context, the EC's Joint Research Centre’s Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (JRC-IHCP) was asked by EC's DG Environment to perform an assessment of REACH registration dossiers of certain selected substances that may be connected with the use in hydraulic fracturing of shale gas reservoirs. The main goal of this task was to understand whether this type of use has been registered under REACH and eventually how industry is dealing with related exposure scenarios and exposure assessments. The present document reports and discusses the results of the analysis of the selected REACH registration dossiers.JRC.I.4-Nanobioscience

An exploratory study on workplace violence and its effect on residential disability social care workers in Ireland: a mixed method approach

Social care workers working in the area of residential disability services in Ireland are at a high risk of workplace violence. Current literature provides limited knowledge about the supports and coping strategies available and utilised by Irish social care workers who are affected by this problem. This mixed method study consists of two parts. Part (a) is based on surveys completed by individuals (quantitative study) and part (b) includes interviews conducted with the participants (qualitative study). The survey inquired about a participant’s experience of workplace violence in a residential disability service. In addition, it aimed to identify the effects of workplace violence and the supports which are most useful among affected workers. Lastly, it queried whether organisations provide enough supervision and training to lessen workplace violence. It looked at the prevalence of workplace violence in this study and what needs to be improved for social care workers working in residential disability services. The aim of this study was to determine if social care workers had access to supports from their organisations when they were affected by workplace violence. It also examined whether the supports were formal (structured from organisation/management, which include supervision or debriefing) or informal (from a spouse/partner, or colleague) within residential disability settings and if this was enough to alleviate the stress that comes with workplace violence. The findings from the quantitative study highlighted that workers felt workplace violence was underreported. The reasoning was the fear for professional capacity as well as fear of criticism from colleagues and time-consuming reporting procedures. Unfortunately, from this research over 70% of participants felt that organisations were not addressing the issue; which has negative consequences on the workforce. The qualitative part of this research focused on semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of social care residential workers in disability settings who have experienced violence in the workplace. Using thematic analysis, the results identified the ‘context in which workplace violence occurs’ and ‘preferred strategies and supports’ used by staff following an incident. Concerns were raised in relation to a culture which normalises workplace violence. This culture appears to impact on the supports that are offered by some organisations within the disability sector. Furthermore, social care workers highlighted that they mostly rely on the support of peers and work colleagues, who share similar experiences of workplace violence. Findings of this study suggest that open communication between staff and management is essential to ensure that staff feel adequately supported and the problem of workplace violence is being adequately tackled by the organisations. This will ensure that people who use the services receive the best quality care and support. Suggested recommendations that could promote safe working environment are provided within this report to encourage for workplace violence to be addressed universally

Physico-chemical properties of manufactured nanomaterials - Characterisation and relevant methods. An outlook based on the OECD Testing Programme.

Identifying and characterising nanomaterials require additional information on physico-chemical properties and test methods, compared to chemicals in general. Furthermore, regulatory decisions for chemicals are usually based upon certain toxicological properties, and these effects may not be equivalent to those for nanomaterials. However, regulatory agencies lack an authoritative decision framework for nanomaterials that links the relevance of certain physico-chemical endpoints to toxicological effects. This paper investigates various physico-chemical endpoints and available test methods that could be used to produce such a decision framework for nanomaterials. It presents an overview of regulatory relevance and methods used for testing fifteen proposed physico-chemical properties of eleven nanomaterials in the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials' Testing Programme, complemented with methods from literature, and assesses the methods' adequacy and applications limits. Most endpoints are of regulatory relevance, though the specific parameters depend on the nanomaterial and type of assessment. Size (distribution) is the common characteristic of all nanomaterials and is decisive information for classifying a material as a nanomaterial. Shape is an important particle descriptor. The octanol-water partitioning coefficient is undefined for particulate nanomaterials. Methods, including sample preparation, need to be further standardised, and some new methods are needed. The current work of OECD's Test Guidelines Programme regarding physico-chemical properties is highlighted

An overview of concepts and terms used in the European Commission's definition of nanomaterial

This report supports the implementation of the European Commission’s Recommendation on a definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU). It addresses its key concepts and terms and discusses them in a regulatory context. Corresponding to the broad scope of the definition the considerations in this report can be applied across all relevant legislative areas; they are not specific to any particular piece of legislation. The report provides recommendations for a harmonised and coherent implementation of the nanomaterial definition in any specific regulatory context at European Union and national level.JRC.F.2-Consumer Products Safet

Identification of nanomaterials through measurements

This report addresses identification of nanomaterials according to the European Commission's Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU) by measurements and discusses options and points to consider when assessing whether a particulate material is a nanomaterial or not. The primary criterion to identify nanomaterials is the median of the number-based distribution of the constituent particles’ external dimensions, regardless of whether these particles appear separate from one another or are parts of aggregates or agglomerates. The main steps in the nanomaterial identification process are collecting information on the material, acquiring knowledge of the measurement method(s), matching method(s) and material, sample preparation, measurement/analysis and decision (nanomaterial / no nanomaterial). Assessment of particle size measurements requires specification of the measurand, the physical principle of the measurement technique, the applied sample preparation protocol, the covered size range and the data analysis procedure to allow a reliable classification of a material according to the EC nanomaterial definition. A variety of screening and confirmatory techniques is available to analyse particle size distributions. Screening techniques do not measure directly the number-based distribution of the external particle dimensions, but they are fast and inexpensive and still allow to positively identify a material as a nanomaterial. Confirmatory techniques are usually more costly and time-intensive, but may provide a more reliable classification and allow resolving doubts or disputes. The volume specific surface area can serve as proxy to identify nanomaterials, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. For a correct classification whether a material is a nanomaterial or not, a thorough knowledge of the applied measurement method is needed to correctly interpret the outcome of a measurement and to understand whether a specific technique is fit for the purpose. Reliable measurement results can be obtained if a reference measurement system is implemented, which is typically based on documented and validated methods and reference materials. Best practices should be applied when reference measurement systems are not available. This report provides examples and practical options for consideration, including a flowchart that can assist users with relevant technical knowledge in the identification of nanomaterials.JRC.F.2-Consumer Products Safet

Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term "nanomaterial"; Part 1: Compilation of information concerning the experience with the definition

In October 2011 the European Commission (EC) published a Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU). The purpose of this definition is to enable determination when a material should be considered a nanomaterial for regulatory purposes in the European Union. In view of the upcoming review of the current EC Definition of the term 'nanomaterial' and noting the need expressed by the EC Environment Directorate General and other Commission services for a set of scientifically sound reports as the basis for this review, the EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) prepares three consecutive reports, of which this is the first. This Report 1 compiles information concerning the experience with the definition regarding scientific-technical issues that should be considered when reviewing the current EC definition of nanomaterial. Based on this report and the feedback received, JRC will write a second, follow-up report. In this Report 2 the JRC will provide a detailed assessment of the scientific-technical issues compiled in Report 1, in relation to the objective of reviewing the current EC nanomaterial definition.JRC.I.4-Nanobioscience

Regulatory aspects of nanotechnology in the agri/feed/food sector in EU and non-EU countries

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