Occupational and Environmental Risks of Nanotechnology

Details

• Personal Author:
  Kreutzer R ; Rabin R
• Description:
  In general terms, nanotechnology covers "engineered structures, devices and systems that have a length scale of 1 - 100 nanometers. At these length scales, materials begin to exhibit unique properties that affect physical, chemical and biological behavior." Nanotechnology is already used for a wide variety of products such as paints, sunscreen and cosmetics, sports equipment, stain-free clothing and automobile parts and equipment. Currently, over 200 products are on the market. By 2015, the economic impact of nanotechnology world-wide is expected to be over $1 trillion. Research and development is particularly significant in the fields of electronics, optoelectronics, magnetic applications, medical imaging, drug delivery, and cosmetics. The National Nanotechnology Initiative, the federal government's coordinating body for nanotechnology R & D, has spent approximately $1 billion per year since 2001. Only about 4% of that amount has been dedicated to studying the potential health and environmental effects of nanomaterials in the last 3 years. This seems inadequate given that an estimated 2 million workers are exposed to nanometer particles on a regular basis. Researchers and other interested parties have recommended that federal funding be greatly increased. Annual funding for the EPA's Particulate Matter Research Program was authorized at approximately $100 million. The health, safety and environmental effects of nanomaterials are poorly understood. The size, surface area, reactivity and other unique characteristics of such substances raise concern that their effects on biological systems may be different than the effects posed by their conventional counterparts. Recent research suggests that nano-sized materials can penetrate deep into the lungs, reach the brain via the olfactory nerves, penetrate the skin, and cause oxidative damage. Studies on fish suggest that at least one form of nanoparticles can cause significant damage to the brain. Another concern is the potential explosiveness of nanomaterials. The potential for dusts of many chemicals to explode is well known, and particle size and surface area play a role in their explosiveness, yet no studies have been published examining this hazard for nanoparticles. There are many uncertainties regarding the health, safety and environmental effects of nanotechnology; however, our limited knowledge of its potential harm is cause for concern. The Royal Society of Great Britain, among others, has therefore called for the application of the "precautionary principle": taking measures to prevent harm even when threats to human health or the environment are not fully established. Several government agencies and organizations are in the process of establishing guidelines for the control of nanotechnology, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International and the International Standards Organization. However, enforceable standards have not been promulgated to protect workers, the general public or the environment. Statement of the desired action(s) to be taken: CSTE shall request Congress and the appropriate federal agencies to significantly increase the level of funding for research on the health, safety and environmental impacts of nanotechnology. In the meantime, using the precautionary principle, CSTE shall: Request the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish a national registry of companies that manufacture or use nanoparticles, and make that registry publicly available. Request the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require the submission of "Premanufacture Notices" by manufacturers of nanomaterials, in accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act, and to insist on a thorough characterization of potential health and environmental risks of these materials. Request the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require the labeling of products containing nanoparticles that are aerosolized or applied to the skin, listing the contents, intended use and proper handling of the product. Request the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate standards for the protection of workers, the general public and the environment against known or suspected harmful effects of nanoparticles. Public Health Impact: Increased availability of information to the public on the uses of nanotechnology; Identification of the producers and industrial users of nanomaterials; Increased funds to support a necessary research program on the health and environmental impacts of nanotechnology; Increased government oversight of the nanotechnology industry; Increased understanding of the health, safety and environmental effects of nanoparticles; Increased protection of workers, consumers, the general public and the environment from the adverse effects of nanotechnology. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety
• Keywords:
  Environmental Impacts Health Effects Information Dissemination Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Occupational Exposure Particle Size
• Publisher:
  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Georgia ; Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060339
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, 2007 Jul; :1-4
• Contact Point Address:
  Richard Rabin, Coordinator, Lead Registry Massachusetts, Department of Labor, 1001 Watertown St., Newton, MA 02465
• Email:
  rick.rabin@state.ma.us
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2007
• Performing Organization:
  Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, Georgia
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20060701
• Source Full Name:
  Occupational and environmental risks of nanotechnology
• End Date:
  20111231
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9456ab27da39b9360673287bdb14f0e366b1346d7d6efe55b1597ef43b2c6647f3e10884bc4b7bd43ef13170f5cecae2b3dbdcc25f74036766f35a09d7e5b3f0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/224280/cdc_224280_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 28.24 KB ]