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Nanotechnology at NIOSH
Nanotechnology on the NIOSH Science BlogNIOSH recently co-sponsored a workshop focused on research needed for characterizing exposures to nanomaterials among workers, other populations, and environments by measuring and modeling exposure levels, and by monitoring indicators of biological responses through the product life of a nanomaterial. Read more and comment on the NIOSH Science Blog.
NIOSH is the leading federal agency conducting research and providing guidance on the occupational safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology. This research focuses NIOSH’s scientific expertise, and its efforts, on answering the questions that are essential to understanding these implications and applications:
- How might workers be exposed to nano-sized particles in the manufacturing or industrial use of nanomaterials?
- How do nanoparticles interact with the body’s systems?
- What effects might nanoparticles have on the body’s systems?
As part of this effort, NIOSH is conducting strategic planning and research, partnering with public and private-sector colleagues from the United States and abroad, and making the information and interim recommendations widely available. As observers generally agree, research to answer these questions is critical for maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the growing and dynamic nanotechnology market.
Nanotechnology Spotlights:
Scientists Note Importance of Understanding 'Nano/Bio Interfaces'
It is important to study and understand "Nano/Bio Interfaces," or the complex biological and biochemical interactions that occur when nanoparticles first come into contact with the body, an article in the June issue of the peer-reviewed journal Nature Materials states. With this knowledge, scientists can better predict potential health effects of nanomaterials and help guide their safe use. Dr. Vincent Castranova of NIOSH served as a co-author of the article, Nel et al, "Understanding biophysicochemical interactions at the nano–bio interface," Nature Materials 8, 543 - 557 (2009). The article, which discusses several types of interactions that can occur, the features of the interactions, and the potential effects on proteins, membranes, DNA, cells, and other fundamental components of the body, is available at http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v8/n7/full/nmat2442.html
New Funding Proposed for NIOSH Research in FY10 President's Budget Request
The President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2010 proposes $12 million in funding for NIOSH's strategic nanotechnology research program. The proposed amount includes $5 million that would be added to NIOSH's budget as new money specifically for the program, and $7 million from redirected funds in the NIOSH budget. More information about proposed FY10 funding overall for NIOSH can be found in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Budget in Brief at http://www.hhs.gov/asrt/ob/docbudget/2010budgetinbrief.pdf. More information on the FY10 budget request generally for federal nanotechnology research can be found at http://www.nano.gov/NNI_2010_budget_supplement.pdf.
Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: Managing the Health and Safety Concerns Associated with Engineered Nanomaterials
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2009-125
This document reviews what is currently known about nanoparticle toxicity, process emissions and exposure assessment, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment. This updated version of the document incorporates some of the latest results of NIOSH research, but it is only a starting point. The document serves a dual purpose: it is a summary of NIOSH's current thinking and interim recommendations; and it is 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.
NIOSH Offers Interim Guidance for Worker Medical Screening, Hazard Surveillance Pertaining to Engineered Nanoparticles
The NIOSH recommendations in “Current Intelligence Bulletin 60: Interim Guidance for the Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles,” respond to ongoing interest by employers and other stakeholders in having authoritative occupational safety and health guidance in the manufacturing and industrial use of engineered nanomaterials. The recommendations also reflect NIOSH’s ongoing leadership in providing such interim scientific guidance as research progresses for determining whether engineered nanomaterials pose risks for adverse occupational health effects.
Critical Topic Areas
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.
Contributions
- 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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