NIOSH Nanotechnology Program:Research

Vladimir MurashovSpecial Assistant to the Director

National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthWashington, D.C.

2006 International Conference on Nanotechnology, April 26, 2006

"The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy."

2

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

• To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.

• OSH Act established OSHA and NIOSH

3

Mine Safetyand Health

Administration(MSHA)

Department ofHealth and Human Services

(HHS)

Department of Labor(DOL)

Standards/Enforcement

Occupational Safety and Health

OccupationalSafety and Health

Administration(OSHA)

Research, Training, andRecommendations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC)

National Institute forOccupational Safetyand Health (NIOSH)

4

Strategic Goals

• Generate New Knowledge -- Conduct research to eliminate worker illnesses and injuries.

• Transfer Research into Practice --Promote safe and healthy workplaces through interventions, authoritative recommendations and capacity building.

• Collaborate Globally -- Enhance global worker safety and health through international collaborations.

5

Emerging Technologies

OSH Act directs NIOSH to “conduct special research, experiments, and demonstrations relating to occupational safety and health as are necessary to explore new problems, including those created by new technology in occupational safety and health.”

29 USC 669 Sec. 20(a)(4)

6

NanotechnologyTurning fiction to reality

Science fiction

Science Fact

Michigan Center for Biologic Nanotechnology

7

Nanotechnology

• Definition “includes either or both

• Understanding and control of matter and processes at the nanoscale, typically, but not exclusively, below 100 nanometers in one or more dimensions where the onset of size-dependent phenomena enables novel applications

• Utilizing the properties of nanoscale materials that differ from the properties of individual atoms, molecules, and bulk matter, to create improved materials, devices, and systems that exploit these new properties.”

ISO TC229 Draft Scope (11/09/2005, London)

8

NanotechnologyChallenges

• Great variability in chemical composition

• Distinct properties

• Dynamic properties from dynamic structure

• Gaps in knowledge base and instrumentation

• New toxicity metrics?

9

NanotechnologyOpportunities

• Pro-active risk assessment and risk management

• Design of hazard-free materials and processes

• Applications in OSH

Dravid & Shekhawat, NWU

10

Potential Health Risk/ToxicityExpert opinion

“[PCAST] findings … indicated that the primary area for immediate concern is in the workplace, where nanomaterials are being used or manufactured and where there is the greatest likelihood for exposures.”(Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2005)

E. Floyd Kvamme, Co-Chair, President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

11

NIOSH Nanotechnology InitiativeAddressing the implications and applications of nanotechnology in the workplace

PartnershipsResearch

Outreach

GovernmentAcademiaIndustryLabor

Communication andEducationRecommendations

Exposure and DoseToxicityEpidemiology and

SurveillanceRisk AssessmentMeasurement

MethodsControlsSafetyApplication

12

Activities In Nanotechnology Research

I. Intramurali. NORA: Nanotechnology Safety and Health Research Program

(2004-2008)ii. NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (2005-)iii. Nanotechnology Research Supplement (2006-2010)iv. Small NORAv. Nano-Related Division Projects

II. Extramurali. Research Grantsii. STAR Program (EPA, NIOSH, NSF, NIEHS)iii. Contracts

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/strat_plan.html

13

Exposure and Dose: Projects

• Generation and Characterization of Occupationally Relevant Airborne Nanoparticles

• Ultrafine Aerosols from Diesel-Powered Equipment

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/strat_plan.html

14

Exposure and Dose: Results

p / cc

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

Assembly

Cam-CrankBlock-Head-

Rod

particle cm-3particle cm-3

Peters, Heitbrink, Evans, Slavin & Maynard (2005) Ann. Occup. Hyg.

0.0E+00

5.0E+04

1.0E+05

1.5E+05

2.0E+05

2.5E+05

3.0E+05

0.01 0.1 1 10

Aerodynamic Diameter Dae (μm)

Num

ber C

once

ntra

tion

dN/d

log(

Dae

) (#

cm-3

)

Assembly AreaHeat Treating

Crank Line"Slip and Slide"Outdoors

15

Toxicity: Projects

• Pulmonary Toxicity of Carbon Nanotube Particles• Role of Carbon Nanotubes in Cardio-Pulmonary

Inflammation and COPD Related Diseases• Particle Surface Area as a Dose Metric Systemic

Microvascular Dysfunction: Effects of Ultrafine vs. Fine Particles

• Pulmonary Deposition and Translocation of Nanomaterials

• Dermal Effects of Nanoparticles• Pulmonary Effects of Exposure to Various Nanoparticles• Pulmonary Toxicity of Diesel Exhaust Particles• Pulmonary, Immune, and Dermal Effects of Welding

Fumes

16

Toxicity: Results

• Surface area as dose metrics

• Translocation

• Poor clearance by macrophages

• Suppression of defense responses

• Acute inflammation and oxidative stress combined with progressive fibrosis

NIOSH Research, 2006

Lung Blood Heart Liver Kidney Brain Lung Blood Heart Liver Kidney Brain

% o

f Tot

al D

etec

ted

Gol

d

0

20

40

60

80

100

1 Hour Post Aspiration 1 Day Post Aspiration

Au-labeled SWCNT in Organs (R. Mercer)

17

Epidemiology and Surveillance: Projects

• Nanoparticles in the Workplace

• An Ultrafine Particle Intervention Study in Automotive Production Plants

• Respiratory Effects of Particulate Exposures in WildlandFirefighters

• Longitudinal Surveillance/Beryllium Disease Prevention

18

Epidemiology and Surveillance: Work in Progress

• Formation of NIOSH Field Research Team for partnerships in studying, assessing nanotechnology processes (December, 2005)

• assess and obtain insight on materials, processes, current and potential worker exposures, work practices, control procedures, and medical monitoring in operations where nanomaterials are developed or utilized.

• NIOSH-led working group to develop medical surveillance guidelines. Includes OSHA, DOD, DOE, EPA.

19

Risk Assessment: Projects

• Dosimetry and Risk Assessment

• Emerging Issues for Occupational Respiratory Disease

• Current Intelligence Bulletin on TiO2

• Assessing the Utility of Control Banding in the U.S.

• Current Intelligence Bulletin on Welding Fumes

20

Risk Assessment: Results

• NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin: Evaluation of Health Hazard and Recommendations on Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide (December 2005).

• TiO2 studies suggest that particle surface area for particles of different sizes – but of the same chemistry (anatase) — is a better dose metric than is particle mass or particle number.

• Two mass-based recommended exposure limits for ultrafine (0.1 mg/m3) and fine particles (1.5 mg/m3)

www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/preprint/tio2/

21

Measurement Methods: Projects

• Web-Based Nano-Information Library Implementation• Assessment Methods for Nanoparticles in the Workplace• Monitoring and Characterizing Airborne Carbon Nanotube

Particles• Direct Reading Instrument Metrology• Reducing Diesel Particulate Exposures in Western Mines• Portable Monitors for Airborne Metals at Mining Sites

22

Measurement Methods: Results

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/NIL.html

23

Controls: Projects

• Filter Efficiency of Typical Respirator Filters for Nanoscale Particles

• Respirator Testing and Certification

• Performance Test of High APF Respirators

• Development of Computer-Aided Face Fit Evaluation Methods

• Respirator Approval: Policy and Standards Development

24

Controls: Results

David Pui (U Minnesota), Samy Rengasamy (NIOSH). Presented at 2nd Int. Symposium on Nanotechnology and Occupational Health, Minneapolis, US October 3-6, 2005

25

Safety: Projects

• Nanoparticles in the Workplace

• Guidelines for Working with Nanomaterials

26

Safety: Results

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/nano_exchange.html

27

Safety: Results

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/nano_exchange.html

Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology

• Interim precautionary measures focused on the development of safe working practices and risk management program tailored to specific processes and materials where workers might be exposed.

• Control technologies, work practices, and personal protective equipment demonstrated to be effective for fine and ultrafine particles.

• Solicits comment, feedback, and experiences

28

Applications: Projects

• From Nanoparticles to Novel Protective Garments

• End of Service Life (ESLI) Technologies

• Degradation and Decontamination Efficacy of Chemical Protective Clothing

29

Outreach: Communication and Education

30

Outreach: Information Exchange

3rd Int. Symposium on Nanotechnology & OSHTaipei, Taiwan, August, 2007

Nanotechnology Symposium: NanoparticlesIn the WorkplaceChicago, IL May 13, 2006www.aiha.org/Content/CE/aihce/aihce-nano.htm

NT Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety: Research to PracticeCincinnati, OH Dec 4-8, 2006www.uc.edu/noehs/

31

Partnerships

• Collaborations, information exchange and resource leveraging:

• Intra-organization: NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center

• Inter-organization: Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications working group, DuPont-led Industry Consortium, partnerships (Altairnano, Luna)

• International: ISO, WHO, OECD, EU

32

Conclusions

• Partnering to insure safety and health in the nano-workplace

• Work with NIOSH Nano Field Team

• Contribute to NIOSH Approaches to Safe Nano

• Contribute to NIOSH Nanoparticle Information Library

• Collaborate with NIOSH researchers