There is a growing concern related to the effects of nanomaterials in health and safety. Nanotechnologies are already present in many consumer products, including textiles. "Nanotextiles" can be considered as traditional textiles with the incorporation of nanoparticles. They present often functionalities such as antibacterial, ultraviolet radiation protection, water and dirt repellency, self-cleaning or flame retardancy. Nanoparticles can be released from the textile materials due to different effects (abrasion and other mechanical stresses, sweat, irradiation, washing, temperature changes, etc.). It is then expectable that "nanotextiles" may release individual nanoparticles, agglomerates of nanoparticles or small particles of textile with or without nanoparticles, depending on the type of integration of the nanoparticles in textiles. The most important exposure route of the human body to nanoparticles in case of textiles is skin contact. Several standards are being developed under the auspices of the European Committee for Standardization. In this paper, it is presented the development and application of a test method to evaluate the skin exposure to nanoparticles, to evaluate the transfer of the nanoparticles from the textile to the skin by the effect of abrasion and sweat.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is devoted to the “Frontiers in Occupational Health and Safety Management”

Nanomaterials offer new technical and commercial opportunities but, due to their low particle size, raise occupational health and safety concerns and may also pose risks to the consumers and the environment. In the last 15 years, many standards have been developed in the area of nanotechnologies, taking into account, namely, occupational risk and safety. This paper presents an overview of the standards in this area, with special emphasis at the ISO level, but also at European level, where standards are considered as an important support for legislation. A brief presentation of five relevant ISO standards is included. Relevant European Standards are also mentioned. The control banding approach for occupational risk management applied to engineered nanomaterials, according to ISO/TS 12901-2:2014, is presented. Standards are essential for society and should, in fact, be considered an important tool for companies to support sustainable products and process innovation.

Purpose: This work was carried out in a company of the upholstery sector in northern Portugal to demonstrate that Investment in Preventive Measures, within the scope of Environmental Management and supported by a Circular Economy approach, is a significant investment decision, with transversal benefits to the entire organization. Methodology/Approach: This study focuses on an interview, a financial cost-benefit analysis and a sensitivity analysis. The company is in line with concerns about the Circular Economy. Findings: The findings support that the cost-benefit analysis is a valuable tool for decision-making and for identifying the potential benefits that can arise from implementing measures from the Circular Economy perspective. An action plan was structured with several recommendations in a logic of action priorities. A case study was carried out in the company and a model was designed. Research Limitation/Implication: The studied company is still at an embryonic stage. Nevertheless, it was possible to identify all environmental aspects, namely, impacts, consumption. The study in question was carried out only in one company. It can be extended to many more companies. Originality/Value of paper: The measures to be implemented, in addition to bringing economic and financial benefits to the Company, will contribute to a better and greater environmental sustainability and a better intervention at a social level.