Nanotechnology

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Nanotechnology:
Occupational Safety & Health
“Reviewing the State of Affairs”
Donald H. Ewert
EHSS Services Director; Reddwall Solutions
Secretary; AIHA Nanotechnology Working Group
Industrial Hygienist
Nanotechnology: Occupational Safety & Health
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“Delivering Systems & Support”

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“Molecular nanotechnology is the
capability to build or modify any
material object by adding or
removing individual atoms under
complete external control”
(The Future of Molecular Nanotechnology; Mike Deering)
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NIOSH
Filling a Critical Leadership Role
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National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health
Contributions to Nanotechnology Safety & Health
- NIOSH is at the forefront of U.S. research to understand the occupational
health implications of nanomaterials.
- NIOSH offers interim guidelines for working with nanomaterials, consistent
with the best scientific knowledge.
- NIOSH provides a global online Library on nanomaterials as a working
resource for researchers and others.
- NIOSH publishes new findings and recommendations as its research
advances.
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Major Programs & Initiatives
- Nanotechnology and Workplace Safety & Health Topic Page
- Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology
- Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research
- Top Ten Critical Nanotechnology EHS Topic Areas
- Nanoparticle Information Library
- Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace
- NIOSH Strategic Partnerships
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NIOSH is participating in an international
effort of research groups, government
agencies and industries seeking to
understand the health impact of
nanotechnology and how to control
potential risks. NIOSH is pursuing a
number of initiatives, including:
• Studying the mechanisms leading to
nanoparticle toxicity.
• Developing and testing methods to
characterize and monitor the health related
properties of nanomaterials.
• Investigating nanoparticle exposure and
ways of controlling exposure in the
workplace.

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This document reviews what is currently
known about nanoparticle toxicity and
control, but it is only a starting point.
The document serves as a request from
NIOSH to occupational safety and
health practitioners, researchers,
product innovators and manufacturers,
employers, workers, interest group
members, and the general public to
exchange information that will ensure
that no worker suffers material
impairment of safety or health as
nanotechnology develops. Opportunities
to provide feedback and information are
available throughout this document.

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The strategic plan provides a guide for
building a research effort capable of
responding to the challenges of this
emerging technology. It represents a
timely research agenda and will evolve
as new information becomes available
and a more thorough scientific
understanding about nanotechnology
develops. The strategic plan describes
a multi-dimensional research agenda. It
addresses what NIOSH is doing
internally and externally to lead the
occupational safety and health
community collaboratively in
nanotechnology research.
Strategic Plan for NIOSH
Nanotechnology
Research
Filling the Knowledge Gaps
September 28, 2005
Nanotechnology Research Program
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention

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1) Understand and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses possibly
caused by nanoparticles / nanomaterials:
- To achieve this goal, there is a need to determine the toxicity of
nanomaterials, identify possible health effects from the early uses of these
materials, and monitor the on-going health of individuals working with
nanomaterials.
- Research will be conducted to develop and validate methods of exposure
assessment.
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2) Conduct research to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by
applying nanotechnology products:
- To achieve this goal, the properties unique to nanotechnology will be used to
investigate and develop nanotechnology-based alternative solutions and
study the possible health effects of nanomaterials.
- Research will be conducted using nanomaterials, sensing and communicating
nanodevices, and nanomachinery.
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3) Promote healthy workplaces through interventions, recommendations,
and capacity building:
- To achieve this goal, there is a need to develop and evaluate engineering
controls, personal protective equipment, and guidance on safe handling of
nanomaterials. There is also a need to identify and improve safety issues in
the workplace.
- Once adequate guidance is developed, NIOSH will disseminate the
information to a broad audience and efforts will be made to incorporate it into
training programs and existing safety and health systems.
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4) Enhance global workplace safety and health through international
collaboration on nanotechnology:
- To achieve this goal, there is a need to grow existing national and
international partnerships and establish new partnerships to identify research
needs, approaches, and results to ensure the safety and health of workers.
- Solid partnerships will allow for the development and dissemination of
information and education to workers and occupational health and safety
professionals.
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NIOSH has identified 10 critical topic
areas to guide in addressing knowledge
gaps, developing strategies, and
providing recommendations.
Each topic provides a brief description
of the research that NIOSH is
conducting in the area of
nanotechnology and the applications
and implications of nanomaterials in the
workplace.
CRITICAL
OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND HEALTH
ISSUES ARISING FROM
NANOTECHNOLOGY

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Toxicity and Internal Dose
- Investigating and determining the physical and chemical properties (ex: size,
shape, solubility) that influence the potential toxicity of nanoparticles
- Evaluating short and long-term effects that nanomaterials may have in organ
systems and tissues (ex: lungs)
- Determining biological mechanisms for potential toxic effects
- Creating and integrating models to assist in assessing possible hazards
- Determining if a measure other than mass is more appropriate for determining
toxicity
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Risk Assessment
- Determining the likelihood that current exposure-response data (human
or animal) could be used in identifying and assessing potential
occupational hazards
- Developing a framework for evaluating potential hazards and predicting
potential occupational risk of exposure to nanomaterials.
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Epidemiology & Surveillance
- Evaluating existing epidemiological workplace studies where nanomaterials
are used
- Identifying knowledge gaps where epidemiological studies could advance
understanding of nanomaterials and evaluating the likelihood of conducting
new studies
- Integrating nanotechnology health and safety issues into existing hazard
surveillance methods and determining whether additional screening methods
are needed
- Using existing systems to share data and information about nanotechnology
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Engineering Controls and PPE
- Evaluating the effectiveness of engineering controls in reducing
occupational exposures to nanoaerosols and developing new controls
where needed
- Evaluating and improving current personal protective equipment
- Developing recommendations to prevent or limit occupational
exposures (ex: respirator fit testing)
- Evaluating suitability of control banding techniques where additional
information is needed; and evaluating the effectiveness of alternative
materials
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Measurement Methods
- Evaluating methods of measuring mass of respirable particles in the air
and determining if this measurement can be used to measure
nanomaterials
- Developing and field-testing practical methods to accurately measure
airborne nanomaterials in the workplace
- Developing testing and evaluation systems to compare and validate
sampling instruments
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Exposure Assessment
- Determining key factors that influence the production, dispersion,
accumulation, and re-entry of nanomaterials into the workplace
- Assessing possible exposure when nanomaterials are inhaled or settle on the
skin
- Determining how possible exposures differ by work process
- Determining what happens to nanomaterials once they enter the body
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Fire and Explosion Safety
- Identifying physical and chemical properties that contribute to dustiness,
combustibility, flammability, and conductivity of nanomaterials.
- Recommending alternative work practices to eliminate or reduce workplace
exposures to nanoparticles.
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Recommendations & Guidance
- Using the best available science to make interim recommendations for
workplace safety and health practices during the production and use of
nanomaterials
- Evaluating and updating occupational exposure limits for mass-based
airborne particles to ensure good continuing precautionary practices
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Communication & Education
- Establishing partnerships to allow for identification and sharing of research
needs, approaches, and results
- Developing and disseminating training and educational materials to workers
and health and safety professionals
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Applications
- Identifying uses of nanotechnology for application in occupational safety and
health
- Evaluating and disseminating effective applications to workers and
occupational safety and health professionals
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The web-based Nanoparticle
Information Library (NIL) helps
occupational health professionals,
industrial users, worker groups, and
researchers organize and share
information on nanomaterials, including
their health and safety-associated
properties.
Nanoparticle Information Library

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Nanoparticle Information Library
The information that NIOSH has incorporated into the searchable online database
includes:
- Nanomaterial composition
- Method of production
- Particle size, surface area, and morphology (included scanning, transmission,
or other electron micrographic images)
- Demonstrated or intended applications of the nanomaterial
- Availability for research or commercial applications
- Associated or relevant publications
- Points of contact for additional details or partnering
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This document is a report of the
progress of the NIOSH Nanotechnology
Research Center (NTRC) since its
inception in 2004 through 2006. Using
only internally redirected resources, the
NTRC has begun to make contributions
to all the steps in the continuum from
hazard identification to risk
management.

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