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Workplace Assessments for Workplace Assessments for Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology: Benefits of a Proactive Approach Benefits of a Proactive Approach William Looney ENSR-AECOM June 25, 2008
Transcript of Workplace Assessments for Workplace …...Workplace Assessments for Workplace Assessments for...
Workplace Assessments for Workplace Assessments for Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology:
Benefits of a Proactive ApproachBenefits of a Proactive Approach
William LooneyENSR-AECOM
June 25, 2008
C60 - Fullerene
Nanotechnology is “the Next Big Thing.” It is a truly international phenomenon that “will have a major impact on the health, wealth and security of the world’s people that will be at least as significant in this century as antibiotics, the integrated circuit, and manmade polymers.”
National Science and Technology Council Committee on Technology
“If I were asked for an area of science and engineering that will most likely produce the breakthroughs of tomorrow, I would point to nanoscale science and engineering.”
Neil Lane, Assistant to the President for Science and Technologyand former Director of the (NSF) - Congressional Hearing
And Then There Was!And Then There Was!
Session PurposeSession Purpose
Provide a brief overview of the opportunities and challenges for this new technology and what we can do today to address the potential risk and liabilities
Presentation Outline Presentation Outline Nanotechnology and potential applicationsHuman health, environmental and occupational concerns Regulatory, guidance and policy initiativesWhere are we today?What can we do today? Where are we going?
Nanotechnology Products Are Here Nanotechnology Products Are Here NowNow
Dermatone SPF 20 Natural Formula
Kodak Inkjet Photo Papers
Nanotec Nanoseal® Wood
Eddie Bauer Ruston Fit Nano-Tex Khakis
Hummer H2
NASA's Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron
Nanobattery
Samsung Clothes Washer with Silver
Nano
Ecology Coatings Paper Coating
Nanotechnology ChallengesNanotechnology ChallengesDo the unique surface, catalytic and magnetic properties of nanomaterials present new risks for health and safety and for the environment?Can the potential benefits of nanotechnology be achieved while minimizing the potential risks?
Quantum Dots Buckyball
Presentation Outline Presentation Outline Nanotechnology and potential applicationsHuman health, environmental and occupational concernsRegulatory, guidance and policy initiativesWhere are we today?What can we do today? Where are we going?
Risks?Risks?What Risks?What Risks?
Risks?Risks?Nanotechnology. Recent Developments,
Risks and Opportunities - Lloyd’s of London Report 2007• Clean-up costs of land and water contamination• Medical costs of treatment of human exposure• Liability claims from persons directly affected,
environmental groups and shareholders• Unexpected life, health and workers compensation• Latent liability claims of persons affected• Business interruption while facility is investigated• Cost of product recall"
Risks?Risks?
Global Risks 2008 by the World Economic Forum Report • Nanotechnology identified as one of the
top 26 global risksCitigroup; Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC); Swiss Re; Wharton School Risk Center; Zurich Financial Services
Human Health Concerns for NMHuman Health Concerns for NMNM exposure and toxicity not yet well understoodNanoscale materials do not behave like their bulk counterpartsIncreased reactivity of NM due to large surface areaPotential for bioaccumulation and accumulation in food chain
Carbon nanotubes
Inhalation Exposure StudiesInhalation Exposure Studieswith NMwith NM
Nanoparticles not captured by respiratory defense systemsNanoparticles can enter lung tissues and be distributed to other organs and tissuesInhaled nanoparticles may pass from the nose to brain through the olfactory nerveRigid Multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) longer than 20 µm elicit the same toxic response in mice that asbestos does, according to two new studies.
elastin
collagen
SWCNT
TII
Endothelial
Fibroblastcapillary
Mercer -NIOSH
Dermal Exposure Studies with NM Dermal Exposure Studies with NM
Reports of penetration of intact skin in test system models by: • Multi-walled carbon
nanotubes• Substituted fullerenes• Quantum dots
In vitro tests indicate inflammatory and cytotoxic responses after exposures to nanomaterials
Environmental Concerns for NMEnvironmental Concerns for NMWater/soil contamination from improper disposal Disposition and fate after product use and disposalDegradation productsPotential for accumulation in food chainLimited environmental testing data available
Daphnia magna Fathead minnow Largemouth bass
LC50 = ?; NOEC = 35 ppm
LC100 = 1 ppm LC50 = ?;
Effects: Mortality; decreased reproduction; delayed molting
Effects: Cytochrome P450 levels unaltered; PMP70 protein expression; potential lipid metabolism effects
Effects: Brain uptake of NM. Oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) at 0.5 ppm
Environmental Studies with NMEnvironmental Studies with NM
E. Oberdorster. 2006. Carbon 44: 1112-1120
Occupational Concerns for NMOccupational Concerns for NMExtent and impact of worker exposures to NMEffectiveness of personal protective equipment to minimize/eliminate NM exposuresDifficulties in monitoring workplace exposures• Small size of NM• Limited protocols and methodologies
Fire and explosion hazardsCatalytic potential of NM
Maynard 2004
Workplace Studies with NMWorkplace Studies with NMAndrew Maynard and coworkers (2004) determined that aerosol concentrations of NM during handling of unrefined NM material were lowMore energetic processes likely needed to increase airborne concentrations of NMGloves contaminated with NMResults indicated importance of dermal contact as potential exposure route
Exposure Assessment for NMExposure Assessment for NMNM pose unique challenges to traditional EHS exposure assessment techniques due to their small size and mass Mass and bulk chemistry may be less important than particle size, surface area, and surface chemistry for NM
TSI P-Trak $5K TSI CPC 3007 $8K Scanning Mobility Particle Scanning Mobility Particle SizerSizer > $30K> $30K
Presentation Outline Presentation Outline Nanotechnology and potential applicationsHuman health, environmental and occupational concerns Regulatory, guidance, and policy initiativesWhere are we today?What can we do today? Where are we going?
Regulations? Regulations? What Regulations?What Regulations?
Currently No Nanomaterial-specificFederal Regulations
US Environmental Protection AgencyUS Environmental Protection AgencyToxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)• EPA has broad authority to identify and control
“new chemicals” that may pose a threat to human health or the environment
• Pre-Manufacture Notification (PMN) requirements• Significant New Use Rule (SNUR)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)• Samsung clothes washer with nano silver reviewed
by EPA under FIFRA regulations - Nov 2006
US Environmental Protection AgencyUS Environmental Protection AgencyNanoscale Materials Stewardship Program – January 28, 2008• Voluntary program to collect information about
nanoscale materials from manufacturers, importers, and processors
• Goal - These data will inform the process by which EPA establishes appropriate chemical management efforts to protect human health and the environment from unreasonable risks from nanoscale materials
http://epa.gov/oppt/nano/stewardship.htm
National Institute for National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthOccupational Safety and Health
Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: An Information Exchange with NIOSH - July 2006Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace – February 2007Nanoparticle Information LibraryInterim Guidance for the Medical Screening of Workers Potentially Exposed to Nanoparticles – Draft December 2007
International Requirements for NMInternational Requirements for NMEU Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) – June 2007• Substances in the nano-scale are within the scope of
REACH and must be assessed according to the regulations
Environment Canada• Requirements for Nanomaterials under the New
Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) - June 2007
• Nanomaterials manufactured in Canada or imported into Canada and not listed on the Domestic Substances List are considered new and subject to notification under the regulations
Nanotechnology InitiativesNanotechnology InitiativesAmerican Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) International • Committee E56 on Nanotechnology
Standard Terminology Relating to Nanotechnology Standard Guide for Handling Unbound Engineered Nanoscale Particles in Occupational Settings
International Standards Organization (ISO) • Technical Committee TC229 Nanotechnologies
Nanotechnology InitiativesNanotechnology Initiatives
EHS Approaches for NanotechnologyEHS Approaches for NanotechnologyApproaches to Safe Nanotechnology: An Information Exchange with NIOSH - July 2006Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/ German Chemical Industry Association• Guidance for Handling and Use of Nanomaterials in
the Workplace – Draft August 2007
EHS Program components• Engineering controls• Work practices• Personal protective equipment• Respirators• Spill cleanup and proper NM disposal • Worker training
July 2006
International Council on International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) Nanotechnology (ICON)
EHS SurveyEHS SurveySurvey for current EHS practices in the global nanotechnology industry – Fall 2006Participants from four continents included:• Companies• Research laboratories• University laboratories
64/337 invitees – 19% response rateAll information self-reported
ICON EHS Survey FindingsICON EHS Survey FindingsLarger organizations• More often reported use of variety of engineering
controls, including clean rooms, separate HVAC systems and closed piping systems
• Training programs for employeesSmaller companies• Employees were more likely to use disposable
personal protective equipment• Use of less expensive exposure controls techniques,
such as respirators, glove boxes and glove bags University laboratories• Cost concerns and prioritization of other EHS needs
were major impediments to development of nanotechnology-specific programs
Presentation Outline Presentation Outline Nanotechnology and potential applicationsHuman health, environmental and occupational concerns Regulatory, guidance and policy initiativesWhere are we today?What can we do today? Where are we going?
Where Are We Today?Where Are We Today?Numerous applications for nanotechnology in diverse industriesLux Research reports that:• $88B worth of products incorporating
nanomaterials were sold in 2007• By 2014, 15% of all products will incorporate
nanomaterials - $2.6T products, 10M workersUS Federal funding in 2006 for NT through NNI • Research and development - $1.35B• EHS risks from nanomaterials - $38M (<3%)
Where Are We Today?Where Are We Today?Limited number of NM have been evaluated to dateHuman health, occupational and environmental impacts of NM not yet understoodNumerous current initiatives to develop best EHS practices for nanomaterialsOccupational/environmental regulatory standards and guidelines are in development
What Can We Do Today?What Can We Do Today?Proactive EHS approach in the absence of regulatory mandates to minimize potential liabilities from worker exposures to NM• Audits to document adherence with accepted
guidelines• Review/update EHS programs to address potential
occupational concerns regarding NM• Train employees• Monitor evolving status of guidelines and standards
specific for nanotechnology
Nanotechnology Nanotechnology Where Are We Going?Where Are We Going?
Human Health/ Consumer Concerns
Occupational Exposure Concerns
Regulatory Compliance Environmental
Impacts
Numerous Applications for NM
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsDr, Brenda Barry, Senior Director, Long-Term Research Projects, American Chemistry Council;Dr. Vicki Colvin, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Rice University and Director of its Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN);Terry Medley, Esq., Global Director of Corporate Regulatory Affairs, DuPont Environmental and Sustainable Growth CenterENSR’s Nanotechnology Team and Senior Advisors GroupA host of others!
