The documents on this page explore worker health and safety and environmental health and safety issues related to the expanding field of nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology at NIOSH(http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/) This link connects to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Critical Topic Area on nanotechnology. Provided are links to critical topic areas, safe approaches to nanotechnology, and an online library of relevent information.
2005 NCMS Survey of Nanotechnology in the U.S. Manufacturing Industry(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=3026) (1.9 MB) "New 09-06" The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) study, conducted under sponsorship from the National Science Foundation (NSF), documents the nation's largest cross-industry survey of nanotechnology applications being commercialized by the U.S. manufacturing industry.
EPA Nanotechnology White Paper(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4087) (2.6 MB) This document describes the issues that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should consider to ensure that society benefits from advances in environmental protection that nanotechnology may offer, and to understand and address any potential risks from environmental exposure to nanomaterials.
Green Nanotechnology: It's Easier Than You Think(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4428) (23 KB) April 2007. 2 pages. New report on designing environmentally-friendly nanoproducts
Nanomaterials in the Workplace: Policy and Planning Workshop on Occupational Safety and Health(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=2612) (310 KB) April 2006. 50 pages. This Research and Development (RAND) report discusses the strategic requirements needed to address nanotechnology and occupational safety and health, describes the current resources that are being applied to address related concerns that have been raised, and discusses options and suggestions for NIOSH and other federal agencies offered by the workshop participants to address concerns regarding nanotechnology and occupational
safety and health.
Nanoparticles-Known and Unknown Health Risks(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=1555) (864 KB) December 2004. 15 pages. Man-made nanoparticles range from the well-established multi-ton production of carbon black and fumed silica for applications in plastic fillers and car tires to microgram quantities of fluorescent quantum dots used as markers in biological imaging. As nano-sciences are experiencing massive investment worldwide, there will be a further rise in consumer products relying on nanotechnology. While benefits of nanotechnology are widely publicised, the discussion of the potential effects of their widespread use in the consumer and industrial products are just beginning to emerge. This review provides comprehensive analysis of data available on health effects of nanomaterials.
Nanotechnology and Environmental and Public Health Considerations(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=1541) (67 KB) 2004. 10 pages. Nanotechnology has arrived on the scene much as did predecessor technologies,
hailed for its purpose and accepted with enthusiasm amid bursts of research, funding, and news of creative applications. But the early efforts to consider its environmental aspects have been small even though the implications for environmental and public health are broad. A well-crafted policy framework is needed, one linked to a clearer understanding of the direct and indirect effects, benefits, and risk of nanotechnology. A precautious approach would foster policy interventions to prevent harms by
slowing developments where the risks are high and focus scientific effort on dispelling ignorance and uncertainty, especially in those areas where
the consequences of being wrong are substantial. This kind of approach also would impose the burden of demonstrating the safety of the technology primarily on its proponents. The process of producing guidelines for other
technologies is considered.
National Nanotechnology Initiative(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4151) (1.2 MB) The National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan: December 2004 charts the vision, goals, and plans by which NIOSH and partner agencies will work to expedite the responsible advancement of nanotechnology over the next 5 to 10 years, and to ensure that the U.S. will remain a world leader in nanotechnology research and development.
Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=3688) (3.2 MB) This document is a report of the progress of the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) since its inception in 2004 through 2006.(2007)
Progress Towards Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace(http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_g et_blob.cfm?ID=4408) (3.2 MB) March 2007. 198 pages. Research to ensure safe and healthy workplace for those working with nanotechnology.
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