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Nanotechnology at NIOSH
Carbon Nanotubes: Recent Findings...
What are the implications of the most recent findings to the risk assessment and risk management of carbon nanotubes in U.S. workplaces?
See what Dr. Vladimir V. Murashov has to say, and leave your comments 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:
Updated Strategic Plan for Public Comment
NIOSH announces an updated version of its "Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research: Filling the Knowledge Gaps." The update reflects scientific developments in research since 2005, when the initial version was released, and captures the ongoing prioritization needed to keep pace with rapid advances being made in nanotechnology. The document provides an accounting of current projects and carries NIOSH's research planning forward to 2012. The strategic plan will be available for public comment until June 1, 2008, and will be peer-reviewed by the NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors.
NIOSH research described in "Scientific American" article on health implications of nanotechnology
External Link: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=will-nano-particles-present-big-health-problems
A Feb. 15, 2008, on-line article from "Scientific American" reports on the challenges and complexities of research by NIOSH and others to determine if nanotechnology poses serious human health risks, and to define effective occupational control measures in the face of uncertainties. The article describes the complex issues that are the focus of NIOSH's national leadership in research, and highlights NIOSH's contributions to defining and answering the questions about potential occupational health effects of nanomaterials. Among those questions: How may nanoparticles enter the body? How may they interact with the body's systems? What characteristics determine the potential toxicity of nanomaterials? How many workers may be occupational exposed to nanomaterials?
 Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123
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.
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.
Interim Recommendations
 In “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology,” NIOSH invites information and comment from stakeholders. This information exchange will advance our shared understanding of the current scientific knowledge related to occupational safety and health issues. This living document also makes recommendations for interim steps in employing the range of control technologies, work practices, and personal protective equipment demonstrated to be effective with other fine and ultrafine particles. These recommendations will be refined as more data become available.
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.
Page last updated:
May 22, 2008
Page last reviewed:
May 22, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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