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NIOSH REPORTS ON NANOSAFETY
NIOSH has released a mighty 200-page report (including some good photos) on the occupational safety and health implications of engineered nanoparticles. The document also suggests potential areas for further studies.
Part of the report looks at the effectiveness of respirators and other protective equipment. It points out that information is already available on the efficiency of respirators for particles larger than 20 nanometres (nm) in diameter. However, less is known about filtering smaller particles and so NIOSH funded a study in 2005 at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Filtration Research. The study measured the penetration of nanoparticles between 3nm and 20nm through various filters (including glass fibre and nanofibre). The respirator filters in this study effectively collected nanoparticles down to 3nm in size and “there was no evidence that particles in this size range pass through filter media at a higher rate than the larger particles”.
The NIOSH report says that the following actions can increase the risk of exposure to nanoparticles:
· Working with nanomaterials in liquid media without adequate protection (e.g. gloves) increases the risk of skin exposure.
· Working with nanomaterials in liquids during pouring or mixing operations, or where significant agitation is involved, increases the likelihood of inhalable and respirable droplets.
· Generating nanoparticles in the gas phase in non-enclosed systems increases the chances of aerosol release.
· Handling nanostructured powders leads to the possibility of aerosols.
· Maintaining equipment and processes used to produce or fabricate nanomaterials or the clean-up of spills or waste material could expose workers.
· Cleaning of dust collection systems used to capture nanoparticles could lead to both skin and inhalation exposure, and
· Machining, sanding, drilling, or other mechanical disruptions of materials containing nanoparticles can potentially lead to nanoparticle aerosols. The report Progress toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace (No. 2007–123) is available at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/.
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