NIOSH Nanotechnology Program: Research

Transcription

1 NIOSH Nanotechnology Program: Research Vladimir Murashov Special Assistant to the Director National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Washington, D.C 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 2

3 Occupational Safety and Health Standards/Enforcement Department of Labor (DOL) Research, Training, and Recommendations Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 3

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. 4

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) 5

6 Nanotechnology Turning fiction to reality Science fiction Science Fact Michigan Center for Biologic Nanotechnology 6

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) 7

8 Nanotechnology Challenges Great variability in chemical composition Distinct properties Dynamic properties from dynamic structure Gaps in knowledge base and instrumentation New toxicity metrics? 8

9 Nanotechnology Opportunities Pro-active risk assessment and risk management Design of hazard-free materials and processes Applications in OSH Dravid & Shekhawat, NWU 9

10 Potential Health Risk/Toxicity Expert 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 10

11 NIOSH Nanotechnology Initiative Addressing the implications and applications of nanotechnology in the workplace Exposure and Dose Toxicity Epidemiology and Surveillance Risk Assessment Measurement Methods Controls Safety Application Research Partnerships Government Academia Industry Labor Outreach Communication and Education Recommendations 11

12 Activities In Nanotechnology Research I. Intramural i. NORA: Nanotechnology Safety and Health Research Program ( ) ii. NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (2005-) iii. Nanotechnology Research Supplement ( ) iv. Small NORA v. Nano-Related Division Projects II. Extramural i. Research Grants ii. iii. STAR Program (EPA, NIOSH, NSF, NIEHS) Contracts 12

13 Exposure and Dose: Projects Generation and Characterization of Occupationally Relevant Airborne Nanoparticles Ultrafine Aerosols from Diesel-Powered Equipment 13

14 Exposure and Dose: Results (A) Cam-Crank Block-Head- Rod (B) Number Concentration dn/dlog(d ae) (# cm -3 ) 3.0E+05 Assembly Area Heat Treating 2.5E+05 Crank Line "Slip and Slide" Outdoors 2.0E E E E E Aerodynamic Diameter D ae (μm) Assembly (C) (D) p / cc particle cm -3 1,000, , , , ,000 0 Peters, Heitbrink, Evans, Slavin & Maynard (2005) Ann. Occup. Hyg. 14

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 15

16 Toxicity: Results Surface area as dose metrics Translocation Poor clearance by macrophages % of Total Detected Gold Hour Post Aspiration 1 Day Post Aspiration Lung Blood Heart Liver Kidney Brain Lung Blood Heart Liver Kidney Brain Au-labeled SWCNT in Organs (R. Mercer) Suppression of defense responses Acute inflammation and oxidative stress combined with progressive fibrosis NIOSH Research,

17 Epidemiology and Surveillance: Projects Nanoparticles in the Workplace An Ultrafine Particle Intervention Study in Automotive Production Plants Respiratory Effects of Particulate Exposures in Wildland Firefighters Longitudinal Surveillance/Beryllium Disease Prevention 17

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. 18

19 Risk Assessment: Projects Dosimetry and Risk Assessment Emerging Issues for Occupational Respiratory Disease Current Intelligence Bulletin on TiO 2 Assessing the Utility of Control Banding in the U.S. Current Intelligence Bulletin on Welding Fumes 19

20 Risk Assessment: Results NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin: Evaluation of Health Hazard and Recommendations on Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide (December 2005). TiO 2 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/m 3 ) and fine particles (1.5 mg/m 3 ) 20

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 21

22 Measurement Methods: Results 22

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 23

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

25 Safety: Projects Nanoparticles in the Workplace Guidelines for Working with Nanomaterials 25

26 Safety: Results 26

27 Safety: Results 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 27

28 Applications: Projects From Nanoparticles to Novel Protective Garments End of Service Life (ESLI) Technologies Degradation and Decontamination Efficacy of Chemical Protective Clothing 28

29 Outreach: Communication and Education 29

30 Outreach: Information Exchange Nanotechnology Symposium: Nanoparticles In the Workplace Chicago, IL May 13, CE/aihce/aihce-nano.htm NT Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety: Research to Practice Cincinnati, OH Dec 4-8, rd Int. Symposium on Nanotechnology & OSH Taipei, Taiwan, August,

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 31

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 32