Nanotechnology

Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research: Filling the Knowledge Gaps

V. Outputs

5.1 NIOSH publications on Nanotechnology

• In response to public calls for information from the U.S. Government, NIOSH issued a position statement along with other agencies describing the lack of information on the potential health risks to workers who are exposed to nanomaterials and the types of research needed to address those concerns (see Appendix B).
  
  
• NIOSH has posted a safety and health topic page, “Nanotechnology,” containing accessible information on the safety and health implications of nanotechnology and the related research activities that NIOSH is conducting. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/
  
  
• NIOSH has prepared and posted answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning nanotechnology and NIOSH’s involvement with the occupational safety and health research in the field of nanotechnology. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/faq.html
  
  
• Updates of NIOSH activities in nanotechnology research appear on the NIOSH Safety and Health Topic Page, “Nanotechnology.” http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/
  
  
• Audience-specific documents (e.g., worker, employer, safety professional) are under development describing the potential for nanoparticle exposure and steps that can be taken to minimize exposure.
  
  
• A NIOSH current intelligence bulletin (CIB), Evaluation of Health Hazard and Recommendations for Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide, on fine and ultrafine titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has undergone stakeholder and peer review and is being finalized for publication. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/TiO₂/default.html
  
  
• NIOSH has prepared a draft document, Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: An Information Exchange with NIOSH, for public comment. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/safenano/
  
  
• NIOSH has developed a web-based Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL) which is a resource on particle information including physical and chemical characteristics. http://www2a.cdc.gov/niosh-nil/index.asp
  
  
• NIOSH has published Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace: A Report from the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123], a progress report on the status of nanotechnology research conducted by the NIOSH NTRC through 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/pdfs/2007-123.pdf
  
  
• NIOSH has prepared a draft document Interim Guidelines on Medical Screening of Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles for public comment. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/115/

5.2. NIOSH Peer-Reviewed Publications

NIOSH scientists will publish results of research as the data become available. More than 85 peer-reviewed articles were published through 2007 addressing scientific and technical issues in the field of nanotechnology. For a listing of publications, see Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace: A Report from NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/pdfs/2007-123.pdf].

5.3 Sponsored Conferences

NIOSH will continue to partner with others in sponsoring and conducting conferences on nanotechnology. To date, NIOSH has cosponsored three international meetings on occupational safety and health involving nanomaterials and has cosponsored a major occupational safety and health research-to-practice (r2p) conference in Cincinnati, OH, in 2006 which drew over 450 participants from 11 countries. NIOSH staff also participated on several scientific and technical panels convened by government agencies, nongovernmental agencies, and professional associations. For a listing of meetings, panels, and conferences, see Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace: A Report from NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/pdfs/2007-123.pdf].

5.4 Presentations

NIOSH staff will deliver presentations nationally and internationally concerning occupational safety and health issues associated with nanotechnology, including presentations at scientific conferences, and trade and professional associations. For a listing of presentations, see Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace: A Report from NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/pdfs/2007-123.pdf]. NIOSH staff will continue to provide presentations at major conferences, meetings, and workshops on the occupational safety and health implications of nanomaterials.

6 Research to Practice (r2p)

Research to practice (r2p) involves the translation of research into products, practices, and usable information. The NIOSH nanotechnology research strategic plan reflects the r2p vision to work with partners and stakeholders (see Section 7 and Appendices D and E) to translate research findings into NIOSH products (e.g., guidance documents, instrumentation, filtration) that will be used to reduce or prevent worker injury and illness from nanotechnology.

6.1 Capacity Building Through Technical Assistance

NIOSH is currently collaborating with a number of industries to develop appropriate engineering controls and effective administrative practices for the safe handling of nanomaterials. NIOSH will work with industry in evaluating workplace exposures to nanoparticles and provide recommendations that will minimize worker exposures. For information on the workplace assessments conducted by NIOSH, see Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace: A Report from NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/pdfs/2007-123.pdf].

NIOSH will continue to make recommendations and provide information based on its research and the published scientific literature. The recommendations will pertain to all areas of the risk management continuum shown in Section 4.1

7 Intermediate Customers and Intermediate Outcomes

7.1. Federal Government Agencies

NIOSH will conduct and coordinate research with other agencies to foster the responsible development and safe use of nanotechnology as identified by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI).

7.2. Standards Development Organizations

NIOSH actively participates in the development of national and international standards for promoting the health and safety of workers in the nanotechnology industries. NIOSH participates in the American National Standards Institute Nanotechnology Standards Steering Panel, which coordinates the identification and development of critical standards in all areas of nanotechnology.

NIOSH scientists participate in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E56 Committee on Nanotechnology, which is developing an integrated family of standards. Committee E56.03 is addressing environmental and occupational safety and health.

NIOSH scientists will continue as members of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 229 on Nanotechnologies (ISO TC 229).

7.3. Industry, Labor, and Academia

NIOSH is coordinating input from industry, labor, academics, and a wide range of government agencies in creating guidance for occupational health surveillance. Additionally, NIOSH plans to coordinate input from those same groups of partners and stakeholders with the goal of providing options for the development of standardized data systems for epidemiological research based in workplaces producing and using nanomaterials. Through collaborations with industry, government, and academia, NIOSH developed a “best practices” document, Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: An Information Exchange with NIOSH (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/), and other communication materials on the safe handling of nanomaterials are in progress. NIOSH is working with industry to characterize occupational exposure to nanoparticles and how to implement effective risk management practices to minimize worker exposure to nanoparticles. In June 2006, NIOSH and E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co signed an agreement to collaborate on work to evaluate current product performance, test methods, and research gaps related to personal protective equipment used to reduce occupational exposures to nanoparticles.

7.4. Professional Organizations

NIOSH is collaborating with various professional organizations to identify mutual efforts for continuing and developing new worker training programs.

7.5. Research Collaborations

NIOSH has established several national and international collaborations to advance research into the safe use of nanotechnology. NIOSH participates in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and has contributed to the nanotechnology strategic plan for the Nation through the working group of Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI). Occupational Safety and Health is a major priority of the NEHI effort, and NIOSH’s strategic research plan and activities have been developed to address most of the major issues in the NEHI plan. NIOSH is also collaborating with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to build cooperation, coordination, and communication between the United States and 30 OECD member countries, including the European Union (EU), and more than 180 nonmember economies as well. NIOSH is also working with the World Health Organization Collaborating Centers on global projects of information dissemination and communication.

8. Outcomes

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area of science and technology that promises great benefits. To realize these benefits, it is important to protect workers in nanomaterial research, production, and use from experiencing health problems resulting in the handling of nanomaterials. The NIOSH strategic plan for research is designed to identify and develop information for use in risk management programs that will prevent and control negative impacts to worker health. In addition, research will be conducted to advance the use of nanomaterials in the development of sensors (e.g., detection of harmful chemicals) that can be used in the workplace to ensure an effective control of exposure.

Outcomes of the NIOSH strategic plan include translating research results into products that can be used by the nanotechnology community to advance the technology responsibly and with minimal risk. Specific areas of improvement include sampling/analytical instrumentation and guidance documents. NIOSH will conduct ongoing assessments of the extent to which NIOSH research is used and cited by scientists; scientific, professional, and government agencies; trade associations; unions; nongovernmental organizations; and international communities. NIOSH also will evaluate how research and guidance developed by NIOSH influences others to take action to prevent or control hazards related to nanomaterials.

Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research:
IV. Goals (continued III)	Appendix A
Page last modified: March 4, 2008 Page last reviewed: March 4, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)