Nanotechnology

Surveillance Phase I: Identify and gather information relevant for determining need for worker surveillance.

Conduct studies on wildfire ultrafine aerosol and firefighter exposure studies.

Quantitative risk assessment on ultrafine and fine TiO₂.

Initiate collaborative research on lung model development and nanoparticle dose estimation.

Develop techniques for particle surface area measurement.

Generation and characterization of nanomaterials.

Nanoaerosol monitoring methods.

Ultrafine/respirable particle mapping in automotive manufacturing facilities

Identify key exposure control issues.

Initiate research on the filtration efficiency of typical respirator filter media for nanoscale particles.

Initiate research on automobile ultrafines.

Develop a draft document on working safely with nanomaterials.

Draft a titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ) current intelligence bulletin.

Develop a pilot Nanotechnology Information Library (NIL).

Generate a basic set of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Initiate pilot project on nanofiber-based filter media.

Continue a study to investigate nanomaterials for improving sensor technology needed in respirator cartridge end-of-service indicators.

Co-sponsor the 1^st International Symposium on Occupational Health Implications of Nanomaterials in Buxton, UK

Contribute to development of ISO technical report on nanoparticle exposure, assessment and characterization in workplace atmospheres.

Conduct survey of nanomaterial uses and workers exposed.

Conduct exposure assessment pilot studies of nanoparticles in the workplace.

Develop study protocol for conducting TiO2 workplace exposure assessments.

Conduct studies to gather hazard ID information about carbon nanotubes.

Pulmonary toxicity of carbon nanotube particles.

-determine the oxidant generating potency and cytotoxicity of SWCNT in vitro.

-determine the pulmonary response to aspiration of SWCNT in the mouse model; time course and dose-response.

Pulmonary toxicity of diesel exhaust particles (DEP).

-determine the effects of exposure to DEP on the generation of oxidants in the lung.

-determine the role of oxidant generation by DEP on genotoxicity.

Nanotechnology safety and health research coordination.

-disseminate results of the NIOSH nanotoxicology program through invited presentations.

Dermal effects of nanoparticles.

-determine the effects of SWCNT on skin cells in vitro.

Surveillance Phase I: Continue to ascertain the need for worker surveillance information (e.g., exposure, medical).

Conduct studies on wildfire ultrafine aerosol and firefighter exposure studies.

Perform QRA on ultrafine particles from scientific literature.

Develop lung deposition model software enhancements.

Develop techniques for particle surface area measurement.

Analyze filter efficiency for collecting nanoparticles.

Conduct exposure assessment pilot studies of nanoparticles in the workplace with various measurement methods.

Identify key exposure control issues.

Evaluate control banding options to reduce worker exposures.

Release contract final report on the “Penetration of Nanoparticles through Respirator Filter Media.”

Initiate intramural research project on “Respiratory Protection Against Nanoparticles” to measure the effectiveness of air purifying respirators against nanoparticles.

Initiate intramural research on the “Development of PPE Ensemble Test Methods” to better understand the barrier effectiveness of protective clothing and ensembles.

Evaluate existing exposure controls and provide recommendations.

Continue research on automobile ultrafines.

Update recommendations on the safe handling of nanomaterials (ongoing).

Initiate investigation of qualitative risk assessment and management methods for nanomaterials.

Host occupational safety and health research-to-practice (r2p) conference on nanotechnology.

Hold public meeting and address external review comments on draft TiO₂ current intelligence bulletin.

Update the NIL (ongoing).

Develop an expanded set of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Develop a topic page specific to nanotechnology.

Complete pilot project on nanofiber-based filter media.

Continue to investigate nanomaterials for improving sensor technology needed in respirator cartridge end of service life indicators.

Join OECD and begin development of international government-level instruments, decisions, and recommendations to improve occupational safety and health of nanotechnology.

Join ISO and develop international consensus-based standards. ISO tech report TC229 initiated.

Join WHO work group to develop and disseminate best practices globally.

Join ICON to develop and disseminate best practices globally.

Co-sponsor the 2^nd International Symposium on Occupational Health Implications of Nanomaterials in Minneapolis, MN

Conduct market surveys of nanomaterial uses and workers exposed.

Conduct exposure assessment studies of nanoparticles in the workplace.

Initiate ultrafine and fine TiO2 and metal oxides workplace exposure assessments.

Conduct studies to gather hazard ID information about carbon nanotubes.

Define preliminary cardiovascular endpoints.

Gather data and develop preliminary dosimetry for diesel exhaust particulate (DEP); determine the role of DEP-induced nitric oxide production on genotoxicity.

Determine pulmonary toxicity of carbon nanotube particles.

-determine the role of lung antioxidants on the pulmonary response to SWCNT.

-determine the effect of exposure to SWCNT on susceptibility of the lung to infection.

Develop particle surface area as a dose metric.

-develop a method to disperse nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing.

-determine if degree to dispersion of a nanoparticle suspension affects bioactivity.

Evaluate systemic microvascular dysfunction effects of ultrafine vs. fine particles.

-construct an inhalation exposure system for fine and ultrafine TiO2.

-determine the effects of pulmonary exposure to ultrafine TiO2 on systemic arteriole function.

Evaluate the pulmonary deposition and translocation of nanomaterials.

-determine the effect of dispersion on the pulmonary fibrogenic potency of SWCNT.

Determine role of carbon nanotubes in cardiovascular inflammation.

-determine if pulmonary exposure to SWCNT causes oxidant stress in cardiovascular tissue.

-determine if pulmonary exposure to SWCNT causes arterial plaque formation.

Disseminate results of the NIOSH nanotoxicology program through invited presentations.

Draft guidelines on occupational health surveillance for nanotechnology workers with assistance from a cross-governmental work group as well as representatives from industry, government, academia, and labor.

Conduct studies on wildfire ultrafine aerosol and firefighter exposure studies.

Extend and calibrate rat lung exposure-dose model for nanoparticles.

Develop nanoparticle deposition model in rat nasopharyngeal region.

Begin model for of CNT inhalability and lung deposition in humans.

Evaluate surface area–mass metric airborne measurement results.

Establish a suite of instruments and protocols for nanomaterial measurements.

Continue to conduct exposure assessment/measurement studies of nanoparticles in the workplace.

Continue to develop offline and online nanoparticle measurement methods.

Evaluate a high flow personal sampler.

Evaluate candidate nanomaterials for use in studies of nanoparticle surface area measurement.

Evaluate dustiness testing methods for powdered nanomaterials.

Identify key exposure control issues.

Evaluate control banding options to reduce worker exposures.

Continue developing intramural research project on “Respiratory Protection Against Nanoparticles” with an initial focus on filtration efficiency of commercially available respirators.

Continue intramural research on the “Development of PPE Ensemble Test Methods.”

Continue updating recommendations on the safe handling of nanomaterials (ongoing).

Prepare final draft of TiO₂ document.

Develop worker and employer guidelines for safe work practices and proper nanomaterial handling.

Draft guidelines on occupational health surveillance for nanotechnology workers with assistance from a cross-governmental work group as well as representatives from industry, government, academia, and labor.

Draft interim guidance on the medical screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.

Continue updating the Nanotechnology Information Library (NIL) (ongoing).

Develop a progress report on NIOSH nanotechnology research and communication efforts.

Cosponsor training courses in safe handling of nanoparticles.

Conduct research-to-practice (r2p) activities (ongoing) such as the development of brochures, fact sheets, updating the topic page, etc.

Disseminate results of the NIOSH nanotoxicology program through invited presentations.

Develop a method to identify significant emerging nanotechnology products.

Research monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles conducted to study whether these nanoparticles can be used in sensors for respirator cartridge end of service life indication.

Initiate proposal for FY09 NORA on antibacterial HVAC air filters.

Continue OECD development of international government level instruments, decisions, and recommendations to improve occupational safety and health of nanotechnology.

Continue ISO development of international consensus-based standards; ISO tech report TC229 initiated.

Continue with WHO work group to develop and disseminate best practices globally.

Continue with ICON to develop and disseminate best practices globally.

Establish NIOSH-UK HSL collaboration concerning dustiness testing for nanomaterials and detailed workplace measurements.

Continue with exposure assessments of nanoparticles in the workplace.

Continue ultrafine and fine metal oxides workplace exposure assessments.

Conduct studies to characterize size, concentration, and morphology of nanoparticles emitted by various processes.

Evalute the dustiness potential for powdered nanomaterials.

Determine potential aneuploidy following exposure to carbon nanotubes.

-determine the effect of in vitro exposure to SWCNT on the mitotic process.

Evaluate pulmonary toxicity of carbon nanotubes.

-construct an inhalation exposure system for SWCNT.

-compare the fibrotic response to inhalation vs. aspiration of SWCNT.

Establish particle surface area as a dose metric.

-determine the pulmonary response to fine vs. ultrafine TiO2 and carbon black using mass and surface area dose metrics.

-evaluate oxidant generation potential as a predictive in vitro screening test for metal oxide nanoparticles.

Evaluate systemic microvascular dysfunction effects of ultrafine vs. fine particles

-determine the role of oxidant stress in the microvascular response to pulmonary exposure to ultrafine TiO₂.

Evaluate the pulmonary deposition and translocation of nanomaterials.

-determine the rate of translocation of SWCNT from the lung to systemic organs.

Evaluate dermal effects of nanoparticles.

-determine oxidant generation and cytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles with skin cells in vitro.

Determine role of carbon nanotubes in cardiovascular inflammation.

-measure blood cytokine levels in response to pulmonary exposure to SWCNT.

Evaluate occupational exposures and potential neurological risks.

-evaluate markers of brain inflammation and blood/brain barrier damage following pulmonary exposure to MWCNT.

Determine neurotoxicity after pulmonary exposure to welding fumes.

-determine the pulmonary inflammatory response to inhalation of welding fumes.

-determine the effect of welding fumes on the susceptibility of the lung to infection.

Conduct nanotechnology safety and health research coordination.

-disseminate results of the NIOSH nanotoxicology program through invited presentations.

Finalize interim guidelines on medical screening for nanotechnology workers.

Assess the feasibility of industry wide exposure and epidemiology studies of workers exposed to engineered nanomaterials.

Seek input from a collaborative working group made up of representatives from industry, government, academia, and labor concerning the value and utility of establishing an exposure registry for workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.

Begin hazard and risk estimates of carbon and metal nanoparticles using new NIOSH toxicity data.

Calibrate rat dose-response model for nanoparticles using NIOSH toxicity data.

Complete nasopharyngeal deposition model in rats.

Evaluate surface area–mass metric airborne measurement results.

Establish a suite of instruments and protocols for nanomaterial measurements.

Continue to conduct exposure assessment/measurement studies of nanoparticles in the workplace.

Continue to develop offline and online nanoparticle measurement methods.

Develop a hand held fast response nanoparticle monitor.

Develop software for spatial mapping of nanoparticles.

Evaluate collection efficiency of personal mass based aerosol samplers.

Identify, qualify, and develop nanoscale reference materials for measurement quality control.

Continue to evaluate the effectiveness of controls to reduce workplace exposures to nanoparticles and metal oxides.

Continued research on “Respiratory Protection against Nanoparticles” with a focus on face seal leakage.

Continued research on the “Development of PPE Ensemble Test Methods.”

Evaluate existing exposure control and provide recommendations as part of the exposure assessment/measurement studies in the workplace.

Continue updating recommendations on the safe handling of nanomaterials (ongoing); specifically, information on the field protocol.

Continue preparing final TiO2 document that incorporates peer review comments (ongoing).

Develop worker and employer guidelines (brochures) for proper nanomaterial handling and safe work practices.

Evaluate control banding options to reduce worker exposures.

Conduct a public meeting to discuss interim guidance on the medical screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.

Continue updating the NIL (ongoing).

Continue conducting r2p activities (ongoing), such as the development of brochures, fact sheets, updating the topic page etc.

Develop a web site highlighting the nanotechnology coordinated emphasis program as part of the NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

Draft supplemental strategic plan specific to nanoinformatics and the programs projected communication efforts.

Research monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles used in prototype respirator cartridge end of service indicator (ESLI).

Prepare full proposal for NORA on antibacterial HVAC air filters.

Continue participation with ISO, ICON, OECD, and WHO.

Initiate GoodWiki for good occupational practices for the nanotechnology industry.

Participate in nanotech symposium at World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, Seoul, Korea.

Participate in 2nd international conf. on nanotoxicology, Zurich, Switzerland.

Continue evaluation of workplace exposures to nanomaterials and their potential routes of exposure.

Continue evaluation of size, concentration and morphology of nanoparticles emitted by various processes.

Focus on collecting personal exposure data for engineered nanoparticles.

Develop task-based exposure profiles for engineered nanoparticle processes.

Determine the dermal toxicity and penetration potential to the most used nanomaterials.

Identify specific biomarkers for unusual toxicity of nanomaterials. Develop an in vitro screening test for fibrogenic potential of nanomaterials.

Conduct in vivo investigations of MWCNT; determine time and dose dependence of pulmonary response; compare response to aspirated vs. inhaled MWCNT.

Complete studies of nanoparticle translocation in laboratory animals after pulmonary exposure to nanoparticles.

Determine the potential for neurological effects following transport of metal oxide nanoparticles to the brain (e.g., transport by olfactory nerve).

Evaluate the potential effect of silicon-based nanowires on lung toxicity; determine the oxidant generating potency and cytotoxicity in vitro.

Evaluate systemic microvascular dysfunction effects of ultrafine vs. fine particle pulmonary exposure.

Construct and test an inhalation exposure system for spot welding fume; determine lung effects of resistance spot welding using adhesives.

Determine effects of inhalation of welding fume on markers of brain inflammation and blood/brain barrier damage in a rat model.

Conduct cell-based assessment for iron nanoparticle in vitro effects on endothelial cells and the role of ROS.

Determine the role of carbonaceous materials on mutagenic and or carcinogenic response in vitro and in vivo.

Elucidate mechanisms by which pulmonary exposures to nanoparticles causes brain inflammation; determine dose-response and time course.

Update interim guidelines on medical screening for nanotechnology workers based on input from published literature and collaborative input from representatives of industry, government, academia, and labor.

Initiate industry wide exposure studies of workers exposed to engineered nanomaterials.

Assess the feasibility of establishing exposure registries for nanotechnology workers for the purposes of occupational health surveillance and future epidemiologic study.

Continue hazard and risk assessment of engineering nanoparticles.

Complete model of CNT inhalability and deposition in humans.

Initiate human nanopharyngeal deposition model.

Initiate integrated revision to human dosimetry models.

Evaluate surface area–mass metric airborne measurement results.

Establish a suite of instruments and protocols for nanomaterial measurements.

Continue to conduct exposure assessment/measurement studies of nanoparticles in the workplace.

Continue to develop offline and online nanoparticle measurement methods.

Develop performance results for current nanoparticle measurement instruments and methods.

Complete evaluation of viable and practical workplace sampling devices and methods for nanoparticles (affordable, portable, effective).

Continue to develop a handheld, fast response nanoparticle monitor.

Continue development software for spatial mapping of nanoparticles.

Develop a standardized aerosol test method using magnetic passive aerosol samplers.

Identify, qualify, and develop nanoscale reference materials for measurement quality control.

Continue evaluation of respirator filtration performance and continue to evaluate the effectiveness of controls to reduce workplace exposures to nanoparticles.

Produce a summary of control strategies.

Initiate and conduct research on “Nanoparticle penetration through protective clothing” to investigate penetration through non-woven materials used in protective clothing and develop predictive models that can be used to improve and/or develop guidance documents, performance requirements, and test methods.

Produce a summary of key safety issues and recommendations.

Evaluate the dustiness potential for powdered nanomaterials.

Develop new or updated recommendations for the safe handling of nanomaterials.

Continue conducting r2p activities (ongoing), such as the development of brochures, fact sheets, updating the topic page, etc.

Publish respirator selection guide for workers handling nanoparticles.

Publish an updated progress report on NIOSH nanotechnology research and communication efforts.

Continue conducting r2p activities (ongoing), such as the development of brochures, fact sheets, updating the topic page, etc.

Update the web site highlighting the nanotechnology coordinated emphasis program as part of the NIOSH NORA program portfolio (ongoing).

Continue updating the NIL (ongoing).

Evaluate application of nanotechnology for improving antibacterial effect of HVAC filters.

Further develop and refine end-of-service indicators using nanomaterials.

Continue participation with ICON, ISO, OECD and WHO.

Continue with development of GoodWiki for good occupational practices for the nanotechnology industry.

Participate in ICOH International congress on occupational health in Cape Town, South Africa (2009).

Participate in 4th international congress on nanotechnology, Helsinki, Finland (2009).

Expand collaborations to developing nations and emerging powers (Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe).

Develop partnerships for translation of NIOSH publications to other languages.

Complete evaluation of workplace exposures to nanomaterials and their potential routes of exposure.

Complete evaluation of size, concentration, and morphology of nanoparticles emitted by various processes.

Evaluate induction of lung fibrosis by cerium oxide and diesel exhaust.

Evaluate the potential pulmonary reaction to inhalation of commercial spray containing ultrafine TiO₂.

Develop predictive algorithms for nanoparticle bioactivity.

Evaluate the predictive value of in vitro screening tests for the fibrogenic potential of carbon nanotubes.

Elucidate mechanisms by which carbon nanotubes induce lung fibrosis.

Assess the feasibility of industry wide health effects studies of workers exposed to engineered nanomaterials.

Evaluate occupational exposures and potential neurological risks.

Evaluate/validate nanoparticle exposure-dose-response models.

Investigate models with additional routes of exposure.

Develop risk estimates using models of kinetic and biological activity of nanoparticles.

Characterize risk of nanoparticle exposure in the workplace.

Contribute to OSH recommendation development.

Develop instruments capable of distinguishing process from background nanoparticles.

Develop techniques to characterize agglomeration state of nanoparticles.

Finalize development of a standardized aerosol test method using magnetic passive aerosol samplers for PPE ensemble testing.

Expand particulate penetration project to include different types of fabrics, electrostatic charges, cylindrical fabric swatches, wind tunnel, and bellows effects.

PPE workplace protection factor studies of nanotechnology workers.

Laboratory performance of filter media against carbon nanotubes and/or other key nanoparticle classes.

Continue conducting r2p activities (ongoing), such as the development of brochures, fact sheets, updating the topic page, etc.

Publish protective clothing selection guide for workers handling nanoparticles.

Publish an updated progress report on NIOSH nanotechnology research and communication efforts.

Continue conducting r2p activities (ongoing), such as the development of brochures, fact sheets, updating the topic page, etc.

Update the Web site highlighting the nanotechnology coordinated emphasis program as part of the NIOSH NORA program portfolio (ongoing).
Continue updating the NIL (ongoing).

Evaluate application of nanotechnology for improving antibacterial effect of HVAC filters and PPE.

Further development and refinement of end-of-service indicators using nanomaterials.

Strengthen participation with globally recognized organizations ICON, ISO, OECD and WHO.

Continue refinement of GoodWiki for good occupational practices for the nanotechnology industry.