Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000-2015

Details

• Personal Author:
  Castranova, Vincent ; Geraci, Charles L. ; Hodson LL ; Hoover, Mark D. ; Howard J ; Kuempel, Eileen D. ; Murashov V ; Roth G ; Schulte, Paul A. ; Stefaniak, Aleksandr B. ; Zumwalde, Ralph D.
• Description:
  Engineered nanomaterials significantly entered commerce at the beginning of the 21st century. Concerns about serious potential health effects of nanomaterials were widespread. Now, approximately 15 years later, it is worthwhile to take stock of research and efforts to protect nanomaterial workers from potential risks of adverse health effects. This article provides and examines timelines for major functional areas (toxicology, metrology, exposure assessment, engineering controls and personal protective equipment, risk assessment, risk management, medical surveillance, and epidemiology) to identify significant contributions to worker safety and health. The occupational safety and health field has responded effectively to identify gaps in knowledge and practice, but further research is warranted and is described. There is now a greater, if imperfect, understanding of the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle toxicology, hazards to workers, and appropriate controls for nanomaterials, but unified analytical standards and exposure characterization methods are still lacking. The development of control-banding and similar strategies has compensated for incomplete data on exposure and risk, but it is unknown how widely such approaches are being adopted. Although the importance of epidemiologic studies and medical surveillance is recognized, implementation has been slowed by logistical issues. Responsible development of nanotechnology requires protection of workers at all stages of the technological life cycle. In each of the functional areas assessed, progress has been made, but more is required. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Engineering Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Toxicology Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Engineered Nanomaterials Engineering Controls Exposure Levels Health Effects History Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Personal Protective Equipment Risk Factors Societal Implications Of Nanotechnology Work Environment Workers

  More +
• ISSN:
  1388-0764
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EID - Education and Information Division ; OD - Office of the Director ; RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  18
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048312
• Citation:
  J Nanopart Res 2016 Jun; 18(6):159
• Email:
  pas4@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Nanoparticle Research
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:87bace2dad54fd571f1e10e6d403d935d7ca683a79cf4b9b9cf0dfafb167297d6e77b5e25943c9a19cde798f7843386b2518aa38f7ce11543fc63524180b59a2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203089/cdc_203089_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 807.13 KB ]