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Nanotechnology

The documents on this page explore worker health and safety and environmental health and safety issues related to the  expanding field of nanotechnology.

  • ASTM E2535 - 07 Standard Guide for Handling Unbound Engineered Nanoscale Particles in Occupational Settings   This Guide is intended for use by entities involved in the handling of UNP in occupational settings. The Guide covers handling principles and techniques that may be applied, as appropriate, to the variety of UNP materials and handling settings.The Guide may also be used by entities that receive materials or articles containing or comprising nanoscale particles fixed upon or within a matrix (i.e., bound nanoscale particles), but whose own processes or use may reasonably be expected to cause such particles to become unbound.
  • CB Nanotool   The CB Nanotool is a control banding approach being used at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to assess risks associated with nanotechnology operations and prescribe appropriate engineering controls.
  • GoodNanoGuide   The GoodNanoGuide is a collaboration platform designed to enhance the ability of experts to exchange ideas on how best to handle nanomaterials in an occupational setting. It is meant to be an interactive forum that fills the need for up-to-date information about current good workplace practices, highlighting new practices as they develop.
  • EPA's Pesticides Act and Nanotechnology   This This Web page provides current information on the regulation of pesticide products either manufactured using nanotechnology or that contain ingredients that are themselves the result of nanotechnology.
  • International Council on Nanotechnology   Managed by Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology, ICON activities promote effective nanotechnology stewardship through risk assessment, research and communication.
  • Introduction to Nanomaterials and Occupational Health Course   This eight-hour course will prepare the safety
    professional or trainer to address issues that may arise in the nanomaterial workplace with a comprehensive review
    of current knowledge, frameworks for risk management and tools for keeping up with the rapidly expanding knowledge base on nanomaterials' health and safety impacts.
  • ISO/TR 12885:2008 Standard   This ISO standard describes health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies. It focuses on the occupational manufacture and use of engineered nanomaterials. It does not address health and safety issues or practices associated with nanomaterials generated by natural processes, hot processes and other standard operations which unintentionally generate nanomaterials, or potential consumer exposures or uses.

  • Nanotechnology at NIOSH   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.

  • In January 2009, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) sent a formal request for information to manufacturers who produce or import carbon nanotubes in California. The deadline for manufactures to respond to the letter was January 2010. DTSC has now posted PDF copies of each response online at: ttp://www.dtsc.ca.gov/TechnologyDevelopment/Nanotechnology/nanocallin.cfm   .

  • Nano Risk Framework   The Environmental Defense Fund and DuPont formed a partnership to develop the Nano Risk Framework with the aim to identify and address potential environmental, health, and safety risks of nanotechnology.

  • NNI 2011 Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Research Strategy   Nanotechnology safety benefits everyone, from lab researchers and factory workers to the consumers of products enabled by this emerging technology. Accordingly, the Federal Government has developed the 2011 NNI Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Research Strategy, a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safe, effective, and responsible development and use of nanotechnology.

  • OSHA's Nanotechnology Topics Page   OSHA has developed a topics page on nanotechnology, where you will find relevant OSHA standards as well as links to resources on Health Effects and Workplace Assessments and Controls.
  • Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies   Established in April 2005 as a partnership between the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Project provides policy papers and a consumer product inventory.
  • Training Workers for Risks of Nanotechnology (7.3MB)
    February 2011. This report addresses the critical issue of how workers who are creating and handling nanomaterials should be trained about the hazards they face -- in laboratories, manufacturing facilities, at hazardous waste cleanup sites and during emergency responses.