English

If sufficient demand

The aim of Part 1 is to mediate knowledge of safe manufacturing and handling of engineered nanoparticles and of nanomaterials i.e. materials containing nanoparticles, in the perspective of human health and of environment. Aspects such as safety important particle characteristics, exposure and emission assessment, nanotoxicology, precautionary principle, safe-by-design, human-technology interaction, risk assessment, risk management, risk communication, life cycle analysis, legislation, and ethical aspects will be covered.
The aim of Part 2 is to analyze, estimate, evaluate, judge, and communicate the human, societal, and environmental impacts of nanomaterials in one's own research, using terms, concepts, and risk management models obtained during Part 1.

Particle properties (size, shape, aspect-ratio, solubility, chemical composition), lung deposition and clearance, emissions, exposure, toxicity, risk management, human-technology interaction, biomarkers, engineering controls and personal protection, risk- and safety communication, food chain transport, life cycle analyses, ethical aspects, and legislation.

be able to describe the concept of risk and how risk can be assessed in different stages (production, incorporation in consumer product, handling of product, end-of-life) of an engineered nanoparticle/nanomaterial
be able to describe the concepts of precautionary principle and safe-by-design and how these concepts are employed in the nano technology research and development
be able to connect different properties of an engineered nanoparticle/nanomaterial to human uptake through skin, lung and gastrointestinal tract
describe the connections between handling of nanoparticle-containing products, nanoparticle emissions and environmental exposure
describe basic mechanisms and health endpoints related to nanoparticle toxicity
be able to use terms, concepts and risk models from Part 1 of the course when doing risk assessment and risk management for human, society, and environment of nanomaterials from one's own research
identify risks in different stages (production, incorporation in consumer product, handling of product, end-of-life) of nanomaterials from one's own research

be able to carry out simple measurements of airborne nanoparticles and understand the results
orally and in writing, with authority, be able to communicate safety aspects of nano technology research and development
have compiled basic strategies, and motivations to these, to work towards implementing safe-by-design
be able to collect relevant scientific literature and use it critically
be able to apply and argument for precautionary measures of nanomaterials, and the handling of these materials, from one's own research
orally and in writing, with authority, be able to present a risk assessment and risk management of one's own research
suggest and argue for strategies towards implementing safe-by-design in one's own research

be able to choose and motivate instruments to design an occupational exposure measurement
demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research with a set of toxicological approaches (human, animal models, cell studies)
be able to judge and interpret risk assessments related to production and handling of nanoparticles and nanomaterials.
be able to identify knowledge gaps in nanosafety
be able to discuss ethical and legal considerations related to nanosafety
based on scientific literature be able to identify knowledge gaps in nanosafety related one's own research
orally and in writing be able to discuss ethical and legal aspects related to nanomaterials from one's own research
evaluate and judge the human, societal, and environmental impact of nanomaterials from one's own research

Lectures

Laboratory exercises

Project

Self-study literature review

Written report

Written assignments

Seminars given by participants

Detailed description of the different examination formats. Part 1: 1) Approved individual home assignment before course start (summarize two scientific papers), and discussion of these in groups at start of course week 1; 2) 80% minimum participation to the lectures (1.5 weeks); 3) Approved group task to be done between course week 1 and course week 2, presented in writing and orally during course week 2; 4) Participation in laboratory exercise; 5) Approved final home assignment after course week 2 (hazard identification connected to doctoral student’s own research).
Part 2: Approved report and oral presentation of health risk assessment (hazard, dose-response, exposure analysis), risk management and risk communication plan related to student's own research.

Failed, pass

The course is open for all PhD students within the fields of engineering, science, and medicine. The course is also open for representatives from industry and legislation, as well as master students with a documented interest in nanosafety, or doing there master's thesis in this field.

 

Course literature will be provided by the lecturers.

Part 1 in this course overlaps completely with the course Nanosafety (MAM030F, 5 hp). Part 2 of this course is a project work.

MAM035F

2022-08-29

Åsa Håkansson