- AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands
-- The manager of the Netherlands' Federation of Trade Unions, (FNV)
the country's largest unionist group, is concerned about the safety of
thousands of workers in the nano-technological industries in The Netherlands.
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- Up to 250 Dutch companies are engaged in the highly-secretive
nanotechnologal development and research industries.
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- FNV manager Leo Hartveld was quoted by Dutch news agency
ANP as warning on Monday that 'not enough was known about the (safety
of) young nano-technology dealing with synthethic and natural materials'.
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- He said that 'personnel in for instance the food- and
chemical industries are being constantly exposed to molecular- and sub-
atomic particles, yet very little is known about the effects these could
have on workers' health and safety.'
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- He issued the warning on Monday at a study conference
of the European Trade Union Federation in Amsterdam.
- Nanotechnology researches and develops materials at the
very smallest levels.
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- The FNV acknowledges that the new technique 'offers great
possibilities,' but also warns that 'many unknown risks are lurkingl'.
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- Hartveld warned that the trade union is being hampered
in its attempts to protect workers in the Dutch nanotechnology industry
by the massive blanket of secrecy in this research and development field
by these industries.
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- "Whenever the trade union asks formal questions
about it, we are faced with closed doors, there is no opportunity for
debate within this secretive industry. Apparently there must be a great
deal to hide,' he noted.
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- The FNV said that some 200 to 250 companies are now engaged
in nanotechnology in The Netherlands.
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- He also warned that the Dutch government is not doing
nearly enough to protect employees against any possible dangers from this
new technology.
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- "Our government claims that the current laws are
sufficiently protective to combat any risks posed by nanotechnology. But
we (at the Dutch Federation of Trade Unions) doubt this.
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- "One of our questions is whether our Labour Safety
Inspectorate also has the required level of knowledge about nanotechnology
(to carry out safety inspections with)?"
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- ORIGINAL STORY IN DUTCH
- http://msn.anp.nl/msn/nieuws.do?action=article&id=5487437?
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