IISP WorkshopGaithersburg, Maryland
May 23 - 24, 2006
Nanotechnology Initiative
Paul F. Wambach, CIHIndustrial Hygienist
Office of Epidemiology and Health Surveillance
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Outline of Talk
What is nanotechnology?
What is the National Nanotechnology Initiative?
ES&H Risks
Risk Management Initiatives
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What Is Nanotechnology?
Nanoscale research and development at dimensions of approximately 1 - 100 nanometer
Fundamentally new properties and functions because of their nanoscale structure
Ability to image, measure, model, and manipulate matter on the nanoscale
Ability to integrate those properties and functions into systems spanning from nano to macroscopic scales Corral of Fe Atoms – D.
Eigler
Nanoarea Electron Diffraction of DW Carbon
Nanotube – Zuo, et.al
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Nano Scale Engineered Materials
First Generation - Small size and large surface area (nano iron)
Second Generation – Novel molecules with desirable properties (carbon nanotubes)
Third Generation – Self assembly modeled on biological mechanisms (virus assembled gold wire)
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Unique Properties From Size
3 nm 4 nm 5 nm 6 nm 7 nm
Color of fluorescence determined by size of particles
Quantum Size Effect in Cadmium SelenideQuantum Size Effect in Cadmium Selenide
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Nanoscale Engineered Material Production
Removing material from laser ablation reactor
Material removal from HiPCO reactor
Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Raw single walled carbon nanotube material.
Nanotubes
Nanoropes
Catalyst particles
Non-tubular carbon
Courtesy Andrew Maynard - NIOSH
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What is the NNI?
The National Nanotechnology Initiative first funded National Science Foundation in FY-01 to coordinate Federal R&D
21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, December 2003
For FY 2006, estimated R&D funding totals over $1 billion across 11 agencies; 11 additional participating agencies
For more information see the NNI strategic plan at http://www.nano.gov/NNI_Strategic_Plan_2004.pdf
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DOE NNI Mission
Provide the physics, chemistry, and computational tools needed to make nanotechnology possible.
$1.5 billion appropriated over 4 years for building and operating 5 Nanoscale Science Research Centers at: ORNL, LBNL, ANL, BNL, SNL that will also provide access to resources at LANL. The first facility at ORNL is scheduled to be completed by September 2006 with all completed by 2008.
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ES&H Risks of Nanoscale Materials
Chemical reactivity of nanoscale materials different from more macroscopic form, e.g., gold
Vastly increased surface area per unit mass, e.g., upwards of 100 m2 per gram
New physical forms of common chemical elements change properties, e.g. proteins
Do these properties lead to new and unique health risks …?
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Ultrafine Particle Toxicology
Recent examination of literature indicated over 10,000 peer-reviewed papers – V. Colvin
Ambient ultrafine particles are associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects in susceptible people
Recent work on toxicity, fate, and transport of Teflon, metal oxides, and carbon ultrafine particles in animals are establishing the mechanisms for effects observed in humans.
University of Rochester (G. Oberdorster)
Airborne Nanomaterials
PROCESS
Primary Particles
Aggregates & Agglomerates
Droplets
Small diameter(~5 - 30 nm)High surface area
Deposition throughout the respiratory tract and rapid uptake
High surface area
Typically ~ 100 - 1000 nm in diameter
Deposition in the lung uptake by immune system cells
Residue can have nanostructureAnd high surface area
Deposition throughout the respiratory tract and gut
Courtesy Andrew Maynard - NIOSH
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Primary Particles Small Compared to Cells
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ES&H Challenges
No standard nomenclature or material specificationsHazard testing not keeping pace with materials developmentNo exposure limitsHype – research and materials called nano to gain supportDread – exotic, unfamiliar hazard
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Risk Management Initiatives
DOE P 456.1 SECRETARIAL POLICY STATEMENT ON NANOSCALE SAFETY
DOE and its contractors will identify and manage potential health and safety hazards and potential environmental impacts at sites . . .
Nanoscale Science Research Centers GroupNIOSH and ANSI EFCOG Occupational Safety and Health Group
Nano material: Hazard Assessment, Health Risks, and Safety Analysis Process project was approved at the joint EFCOG/DOE Chemical Management Workshop, March 14-16
29 individuals have volunteered to participate.
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Integrated Safety Management
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Define Scope of Work
What distinguishes nanotechnology from other material science projects?
Nanoscale Science Research Centers will characterize and test samples of nanoscale engineered materials.
Application of nanotechnology to energy and defense research and development.
Pilot plant scale production operations?
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Analyze Hazards
Are there equipment and process materials that are unique to nanotechnology?What assumptions should be made on the hazards of untested materials?How do we interpret exposure monitoring results without exposure limits? What medical tests and examinations should be used to monitor nanotechnology workers?
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Develop and Implement Hazard Controls
Are facility, utility, and equipment codes and standards currently in use for materials sciencesufficient? Are UK Control Banding or ILO Toolkit strategies useful for health risk management?
Are existing procedures sufficient for assuring visiting scientists know how to protect themselves?
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Feedback and Improvement
Occurrence Investigation and ReportingDefinition of a nanotechnology occurrence
Health SurveillanceMedical Surveillance – sentinel health event or unusual pattern of injury, illness, or clinical findingExposure Surveillance – unusual events or higher than expected exposuresHealth and exposure data linked to individual identifierRoutine collection, analysis and dissemination of information to those who need to know
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Conclusions
NNI legislation has established public policy
Secure the benefits of nanotechnology
Manage the risks
Ready, shoot, aim – Feedback is important
Passive surveillance – injury, illness, and occurrence reporting – has limited ability to answer questions
Active surveillance – worker registries – needed to identify potential health effects as early as possible.
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