Selected aspects of the use of nanotechnology – solutions and challenges in the field of safety and in the regulatory area

Nanotechnology is one of the areas used in industry and everyday life increasingly frequently. However, the physico-chemical nature of nanosubstances makes it necessary to determine not only the possibility of their use, but also the potential hazards that may be caused by those substances. One such hazard is fire safety. Nanoparticles may cause the risk of explosion, the occurrence and development of fire in an industrial plant. The results of research conducted on a selected sample of manufacturers of products used in fire protection indicated, among others, of the inefficiency of knowledge related to national and EU regulations (containing specific requirements) that can and/ or should be applied and implemented by entrepreneurs. Additionally, legal regulations that define directions of activities in industrial areas do not consider all aspects related to nanosubstances. It is therefore necessary to initiate a discussion and indicate the necessary actions that would allow the identification of a threat stemming from the presence of nanoparticles and the use of nanotechnology during various activities in industrial plants. This will also increase the awareness of managers in this area and those responsible for fire safety, including firefighting teams.