Current Intelligence Bulletin 60: Interim Guidance for Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles

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Current Intelligence Bulletin 60: Interim Guidance for Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles

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Peer Reviewers’ Comments:

115-012808-PeerReviewer1sub.pdf [PDF KB]
115-041508-PeerReviewer2sub.pdf [PDF KB]
115-042308-PeerReviewer1sub.pdf [PDF KB]

Response to Peer Reviewers’ Comments:

115-020209-ResponseToPeerRevCmts.pdf [PDF KB]

Required Elements for Initial Public Posting

Title: Current Intelligence Bulletin 60: Interim Guidance for Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles

Subject: The document proposes a framework for utilizing existing medical and hazard surveillance mechanisms to create occupational health surveillance programs for nanotechnology workers

Purpose: To help promote safe and healthy workplaces through recommendations

Timing of Review: November 2007 through February 15, 2008

Primary Disciplines or Expertise Needed for Review: Occupational Health and Medical Practitioners, Industrial Hygienists, Toxicologists, Safety Professionals

Type of Review: Individual

Number of Reviewers: 3

Reviewers Selected by: NIOSH

Public Nominations Requested for Reviewers: No

Opportunities for the Public to Comment: Yes

Peer Reviewers Provided with Public Comments Before Their Review: Yes

Peer Reviewers:

Ken Donaldson
Academic and Professional Credentials: PhD
Organizational Affiliation: Professor, ELEGI Colt Laboratory, Wilkie Laboratory MRC Centre for Inflammation Research University of Edinburgh Medical School
Recommended by: NIOSH

Michael Kosnett
Academic and Professional Credentials: MD, MPH
Organizational Affiliation: University of Colorado at Denver
Recommended by: NIOSH

Robert McCunney
Academic and Professional Credentials: PhD
Organizational Affiliation: Department of Biological Engineering, MIT
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, or Relevant Experience: Biological engineering
Recommended by: NIOSH

Charge to Peer Reviewers:
The peer review charge was developed in accordance with OMB guidelines, is consistent with NIOSH peer review practice, and is meant to ensure that credible and appropriate science is used in the development of its recommendations on the medical screening for workers exposed to nanoparticles.

The objectives of this document are to describe (1) the scientific evidence relevant to exposure to engineered nanoparticles, (2) the elements of an occupational medical screening program, and (3) the overall aspects of a good health surveillance program in identifying and preventing exposure to potential hazards. The charge to the Peer Reviewers is to review the document to determine whether

• the hazard identification is a reasonable reflection of the available scientific studies,
• the discussion of occupational health surveillance including medical screening is consistent with sound occupational health practice, and
• the conclusions that form the basis of the recommendations are appropriate.

To facilitate review of this Current Intelligence Bulletin, the five questions below should be considered:

• Do the data cited support the conclusions of the document?
• Are the conclusions appropriate in light of the current understanding of the toxicological data?
• Is medical surveillance appropriate at this time for workers with potential exposure to engineered nanoparticles; if so, what form(s) of medical surveillance are specific for such workers?
• What are the potential benefits, adverse impacts, and limitations of medical screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles?
• What are the potential benefits, adverse impacts, and limitations of establishing an exposure registry for workers exposed to engineered nanoparticles?

The Peer Reviewers will be provided all substantive public comments received in the NIOSH Docket Office by February 15, 2008.