Occupational Safety

NIOSH's Top Recommendations for Reducing Worker Exposures

Given the limited amount of information about potential risks from handling nanomaterials in workplaces and laboratories, it is prudent to take measures to minimize worker exposures: Precautionary Measures for Employers and Workers Handling Engineered Nanomaterials offers a summary of NIOSH's guidance and recommendations for employers with regard to the safe handling of nanomaterials.

NIOSH Offers Guidance for Handling Nanomaterials

is an article written by NIOSH's Vladimir V. Murashov, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the Director, for Kimberly-Clark Professional e-newsletter. The company makes protective apparel and wipes for laboratories, cleanrooms and clean manufacturing environments.

Research on workplace exposure to nanomaterials is a high priority for the agencies of the National Nanotechnology Initative. Research funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of Energy and Defense all are contributing to our knowledge about potential effects of engineered nanomaterials on biological systems and recommended practices for working with nanomaterials.

NIOSH is the lead federal agency for conducting research on occupational safety and health guidance with regard to nanomaterials.

NIOSH researchers are currently looking at

NIOSH has written two reports thus far on its efforts in this area:

Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology This living document makes recommendations for interim steps in employing the range of control technologies, work practices, and personal protective equipment demonstrated to be effective with other fine and ultrafine particles. These recommendations will be refined as more data become available. NIOSH invites information and comment from stakeholders that will advance our shared understanding of the current scientific knowledge related to occupational safety and health issues. 

Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace is a report of the progress of the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) since its inception in 2004 through 2006. Using only internally redirected resources, the NTRC has begun to make contributions to all the steps in the continuum from hazard identification to risk management.

DOE Issues Approach for Nanomaterials Handling

The Department of Energy's five Nanoscale Science Research Centers, collaborating via an Environment, Health, and Safety Working Group, have issued a publication entitled Approach to Nanomaterial ES&H (PDF). The document is a compilation of best practices and information about the safety and potential health effects related to nanomaterials, particle measurement, and control effectiveness. Read more

NIOSH Programs for Nanotechnology in the Workplace

1. Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program

NIOSH conducts Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs) to find out whether there are health hazards to employees caused by exposures or conditions in the workplace, including concerns related to nanotechnology. Read more.

2. NIOSH Field Research Team for Partnerships in Studying, Assessing Nanotechnology Processes

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has an interdisciplinary field team of NIOSH researchers in the area of nanotechnology. This team partners with employers and others in conducting field studies to observe and assess occupational health and safety practices in facilities where nanotechnology processes and applications are used. Read more.

3. Occupational Health Surveillance For Nanotechnology Workers

Every workplace where nanoparticles or engineered nanomaterials are handled should consider the need for an occupational health surveillance program. NIOSH is in the process of formulating guidance relevant to occupational health surveillance for nanotechnology. The intent of the guidance is to provide a framework for utilizing existing medical and hazard surveillance mechanisms to create occupational health surveillance programs for nanotechnology workers. Read more.