Nanotechnology

NIOSH Research:

Current Ultrafine Particle and Nanotechnology-related Research

The following projects pertaining to ultrafine or nanoparticles have been funded as NIOSH intramural research projects and demonstrate the breadth of research activities ongoing at NIOSH since 2005. Results obtained from projects will be used to further NIOSH’s understanding of the behavior of engineered nanoparticles.

Generation and Characterization of Occupationally Relevant Airborne Nanoparticles
Principal Investigator: Bon-Ki Ku, Ph.D.

Pulmonary Toxicity of Carbon Nanotube Particles
Principal Co-Investigators: Anna Shvedova, Ph.D, and Paul Baron, Ph.D.

Role of Carbon Nanotubes in Cardiopulmonary Inflammation and COPD-Related Diseases
Principal Co-Investigators: Michael Luster, Ph.D, and Petia Simeonova, Ph.D

Particle Surface Area as a Dose Metric
Principal Investigator: Vincent Castranova, Ph.D.

Ultrafine Aerosols from Diesel-Powered Equipment
Principal Investigator: Aleksander Bugarski, Ph.D.

Nanotechnology Safety and Health Research Coordination
Principal Investigator: Vincent Castranova, Ph.D.

Nanoparticles: Dosimetry and Risk Assessment
Principal Investigator: Eileen Kuempel, Ph.D.

Nanoparticles in the Workplace
Principal Investigator: Mark Hoover, Ph.D.

Web-Based Nano-Information Library Implementation
Principal Investigator: Arthur Miller, Ph.D.

Filter Efficiency of Typical Respirator Filters for Nanoscale Particles
Principal Investigator: Appavoo Rengasamy, Ph.D.
[conducted in 2006 by a research contract with David Pui, Ph.D., University of Minnesota]

Respiratory Effects of Particulate Exposures in Wildland Firefighters
Principal Investigator: Denise Gaughan

Emerging Issues for Occupational Respiratory Disease
Principal Investigator: Kathleen Kreiss, M.D.

Direct Reading Instrument Metrology
Principal Investigator: Terri Pearce, PhD, and Judith Hudnall, B.S.

NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin: Evaluation of Health Hazard and Recommendations on Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide
Principal Investigators: Faye Rice, M.S. and David Dankovic, Ph.D.
 
NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB): Risk of Parkinsonism in Welders
Principal Investigator: Ralph Zumwalde, M.S.

Neurotoxicity After Pulmonary Exposure to Welding Fumes Containing Manganese
Principal Investigator: James Antonini, Ph.D.

Pulmonary Toxicity of Metal Oxide Nanospheres and Nanowires
Principal Investigator: Dale Porter, Ph.D.

Pulmonary Toxicity of Diesel Exhaust Particles
Principal Investigator: Jane Ma, Ph.D.

Respirator Testing and Certification
Principal Investigator: Heinz Ahlers, J.D.

End of Service Life (ESLI) Technologies
Principal Investigator: Jay Snyder

Respiratory Protection Against Nanoparticles
Principal Investigator: Samy Rengasamy, PhD.

Development of Protocols for Particulate Penetration Measurements of Protective Clothing and Ensembles
Principal Investigator: Pengfei Gao, PhD.

Evaluating Real Time Monitors for Diesel Particulate in Mines
Principal Investigator: Art Miller, PhD.

Characterization and Communication of Chemical Hazards
Principal Investigator: Art Miller, PhD.

Titanium Dioxide and other Metal Oxide Exposures Assessment Study
Principal Investigator: Brian Curwin, PhD.

Monitoring Methods for Nanoaerosols
Principal Investigator: M. Eileen Birch, Ph.D.

Dustiness of Nanomaterials
Principal Investigators: Douglas Evans, Ph.D.

Systemic Microvascular Dysfunction: Effects of Ultrafine versus Fine Particles
Principal Investigator: Vincent Castranova, Ph.D.

Evaluation of the Pulmonary Deposition and Translocation of Nanomaterials
Principal Investigator: Robert Mercer, Ph.D.

Dermal Effects of Nanoparticles
Principal Investigator: Anna Shvedova, Ph.D.

Measurement of Nanoscale Carbonaceous Materials
Principal Investigator: Eileen Birch, Ph.D.

Nanoaerosol Surface Area Measurement Methods
Principal Investigator: Bon-Kiu Ku, PhD.

Nanoscale Reference Materials for Respiratory Disease Prevention
Principal Investigator: Aleks Stefaniak, PhD.

Ultrafine TiO2 Surface and Mass Concentration Analysis
Principal Investigator: Aleks Stefaniak, PhD.

Exposure Assessment in Tungsten Refining and Manufacturing
Principal Investigator: John McKernan, PhD.

Investigations of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Toxicity
Principal Investigator: Dale Porter, PhD.

Potential Aneuploidy Following Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes
Principal Investigator: Linda Sargent, PhD

Specific Biomarkers for Unusual Toxicity of Nanomaterials
Principal Investigator: Liying Rojanasakul, PhD.

Determination of Diameter Distribution for Carbon Nanotubes by Raman Spectroscopy
Principal Investigator: Madalina Chirila, PhD.

Lung Effects of Resistance Spot Welding Using Adhesives
Principal Investigator: James Antonini

Occupational Exposures and Potential Neurological Risks
Principal Investigator: Krishnan Sriram, Ph.D.

Cell-based Assessment for Iron Nanoparticles Induced Health Effects
Principal Investigator: Yang Qian, Ph.D.

Mutagenicity Assessment of Carbonaceous Nanomaterials
Principal Investigator: Anna Shvedova, Ph.D.