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:
As observers generally agree, research to answer these questions is critical for maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the growing and dynamic nanotechnology market.
Registration Invited for Workshop on Risk Management, Implications of Nanotechnology
The National Nanotechnology Initiative invites registration for a workshop on March 30-31, “Capstone Meeting: Risk Management Methods & Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications of Nanotechnology.” NIOSH is involved in planning and participating in the workshop. Further details are available at http://nano.gov/html/meetings/capstone/index.html.
NIOSH Articles Address Nanomaterial Exposure Issues
Three new peer-reviewed articles co-authored by NIOSH researchers report findings and conclusions from studies that examined issues related to potential occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials.
Two articles in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene report on the design and application of the nanomaterial emission assessment technique, or NEAT, which was developed by the NIOSH nanotechnology field evaluation team. Part A describes the technique. (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 7: 127-132) Part B discusses findings from use of the technique at 12 facilities. (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 7: 163-176)
The third article, highlighted as a "featured research" paper in Environmental Health Perspectives, examines the potential for occupational exposure to engineered carbon-based nanomaterials in environmental laboratory studies. The article is posted online at http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.0901076. A commentary on the article is posted at http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.118-a34b.
Deadline Is Extended for Submissions on Exposure Assessment
The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health has extended to March 15 the deadline for submission of scientific papers for a special issue of the journal, provisionally titled, "Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment for Nanomaterials." Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the NIOSH Director, will be guest editor of the issue. More information is available from the journal at http://www.ijoeh.com/index.php/ijoeh/information/callforpapers and from Dr. Murashov at vladimir.murashov@cdc.hhs.gov.
Nanomaterials and Worker Health Conference
NIOSH and the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center invite you to attend the conference on Nanomaterials and Worker Health: Medical Surveillance, Exposure Registries, and Epidemiologic Research. The conference will be held on July 21-23, 2010, at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center in Keystone, Colorado.
NIOSH research has shown that some nanoparticles, including certain types of carbon nanotubes and metal oxides, can be toxic to the heart and lung in mice and rats in laboratory experiments. A big question left unanswered is, can nanoparticles cause the same types of disease in humans. See the NIOSH Science Blog for a recent discussion.
More Nanotechnology Spotlights
Essential Elements for Risk Management Suggested
Six essential features for proactive management of occupational safety and health risks in emerging industries such as nanotechnology are suggested in an article in the August 2009 issue of Nature Nanotechnology. The authors are Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the NIOSH Director, and John Howard, M.D., former NIOSH Director http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v4/n8/full/nnano.2009.205.html.
NIOSH Leadership Is Reflected in New Reports from OECD
The international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released three new reports in a series of papers and studies on the safety of engineered nanomaterials. The new reports reflect NIOSH leadership in the OECD committees and working groups that developed and sponsored the reports. The reports are:
Article Proposes a National Nanotechnology Partnership Led by NIOSH
A National Nanotechnology Partnership, led by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is proposed in an article posted online July 7 by the peer-reviewed Journal of Nanoparticle Research. See http://www.springerlink.com/content/44013222kk845k7h/?p=71e4d149efa749eba19fbc2cba32742a&pi=6 at DOI 10.1007/s11051-009-9682-2.)
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, 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 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.
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.
