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.