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Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology
Research: Filling the Knowledge Gaps
| DRAFT - This information is distributed solely for the purpose of pre dissemination
peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has
not been formally disseminated by CDC/NIOSH and should not be construed
to represent any agency determination or policy. |
Appendix F. NNI Priority Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials
| Research Category |
Research Needs |
| A. Instrumentation, Metrology, and Analytical Methods |
Develop methods to detect nanomaterials in biological matrices, the environment, and the workplace
Understand how chemical and physical modifications affect the properties of nanomaterials
Develop methods for standardizing assessment of particle size, size distribution, shape, structure, and surface area
Develop certified reference materials for chemical and physical characterization of nanomaterials
Develop methods to characterize a nanomaterial's spatio-chemical composition, purity, and heterogeneity |
| B. Nanomaterials and Human Health |
Overarching Research Priority: Understand generalizable characteristics of nanomaterials in relation to toxicity in biological systems.
Understand the absorption and transport of nanomaterials throughout the human body
Develop methods to quantify and characterize exposure to nanomaterials and characterize nanomaterials in biological matrices
Identify or develop appropriate in vitro and in vivo assays/models to predict in vivo human responses to nanomaterials exposure
Establish the relationship between the properties of nanomaterials and uptake via the respiratory or digestive tracts or through the eyes or skin, and assess body burden
Determine the mechanisms of interaction between nanomaterials and the body at the molecular, cellular, and tissular levels |
| C. Nanomaterials and the Environment |
Understand the effects of engineered nanomaterials in individuals of a species and the applicability of testing schemes to measure effects
Understand environmental exposures through identification of principle sources of exposure and exposure routes
Evaluate abiotic and ecosystem-wide effects
Determine factors affecting the environmental transport of nanomaterials
Understand the transformation of nanomaterials under different environmental conditions
|
D. Humans and Environmental Exposure Assessment |
Characterize exposures among workers
Identify population groups and environments exposed to engineered nanoscale materials
Characterize exposure to the general population from industrial processes and industrial and consumer products containing nanomaterials
Characterize health of exposed populations and environments
Understand workplace processes and factors that determine exposure to nanomaterials |
| E. Risk Management Methods |
Overarching Research Priority: Evaluate risk management approaches for identifying and addressing risks from nanomaterials.
Understand and develop best workplace practices, processes, and environmental exposure controls
Examine product or material life cycle to inform risk reduction decisions
Develop risk characterization information to determine and classify nanomaterials based on physical or chemical properties
Develop nanomaterial-use and safety-incident trend information to help focus risk management efforts
Develop specific two-way risk communication approaches and materials |
From The National Nanotechnology Initiative, Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research, 2008.
| Strategic
Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research: |
 Appendix
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Appendix
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Page last modified:
March 4, 2008
Page last reviewed:
March 4, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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Appendix F