• Health Protection
• Leadership
• Organizational
• In Briefs

CDC Checks for Dangers from Emerging Technologies

As an emerging industry, nanotechnology promises revolutionary advancements in medicine, energy conservation, and other vital social needs

Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding and highly diverse field that includes in general terms engineered structures, devices and systems that have an extremely small length scale of 1 – 100 nanometers; a nanometer is a metric unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter. At these length scales, materials begin to exhibit unique properties that affect physical, chemical and biological behavior. Researching, developing and utilizing these properties are at the heart of the new technology.

Nanoparticles, which are one of the building blocks of nanotechnology, are one reason that CDC is taking a closer look at this new industry. Because of concerns that workers exposed to engineered nanoparticles could be at an increased risk for adverse health affects, CDC is conducting research and providing guidance on the occupational safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology.

This research is on the cutting edge of science and health. Over the last year, CDC has provided interim guidance for controlling exposures while needed research progresses and offered informational resources and technical assistance not available elsewhere. CDC is a model for excellent science and scientific partnership on this emerging technology.

Over the last fiscal year, CDC

• Issued draft interim guidance, “NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin,” on medical screening of workers potentially exposed to nanoparticles in the production and industrial use of nanomaterials to ensure early detection of workplace exposures and conditions that may pose occupational health risks.
• Conducted 10 intensive on-site scientific evaluations of actual nanotechnology processes in partnership with eight industrial, academic, military, and research organizations. At the sites, CDC scientists and engineers assessed potential exposures and operational experiences, control technologies, personal protective equipment, and work practices.
• Published the first progress report on the strategic research program since it began in 2003.

These and other efforts under the strategic research program are being conducted to

• Determine whether nanoparticles and nanomaterials pose risks of injuries and illnesses for workers.
• Learn how to apply nanotechnology to the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• romote healthy workplaces through interventions, recommendations, and capacity-building.
• Enhance global workplace safety and health through national and international collaborations on nanotechnology research and guidance.