221 Risk assessment of occupational exposure to graphene nanoforms - Where are we?

Background Graphene is a 2D-material with many useful properties such as flexibility, elasticity, and conductivity among others. Graphene could therefore become a material used in many occupational fields in the future, and thereby lead to occupational exposure. Today, neither intrinsic hazards with the material in occupational settings nor the extent of exposures are sufficiently known in order to form a basis for occupational risk assessment. There are many publications (>300) dealing with toxicity of graphene and graphene forms, but an evident, reliable and broadly agreed link to human exposure is lacking. In parallel, occupational exposure assessment targeting graphene has suffered from the lack of efficient measuring techniques. Recently we therefore presented a method that is cost-effective and easy-to-use based on quantification of elemental carbon (EC). Aim To find out which toxicological methods that can be relevant for the study of local or systemic effects from graphene exposure through the respiratory system and bring the knowledge to discussion. Method Literature review focusing on methods that are or might be relevant to graphene deposition and uptake in the lower respiratory system. Outcome A mapping of methods and their respective end points that can be related to adverse outcomes in humans. The mapping reveals that there is still a knowledge gap going from toxicity testing to human risk assessment. Conclusions There is a need to discuss and decide on further and complementary testing. The present study brings two different starting points.