Short Project (Midterm) CHEN 489 Prepared by: Group U6 - Pavitra Timbalia, Michael Trevathan, Jared Walker

Making Nanotechnology SafeShort Project (Midterm) CHEN 489

Prepared by: Group U6 - Pavitra Timbalia, Michael Trevathan, Jared

Walker

Outline

Part I Introduction Methodology for Safer Nanotechnology Applications

Part II Introduction Environment, Health, & Safety Laws & Regulations

Part III Risk Perception Public Opinion Results

The 5 Principles of “Design for Safer Nanotechnology”Part I

Gregory Morse - "The 5 principles of ‘‘Design for Safer Nanotechnology’’." Journal of Cleaner Production 18 (2010): 285-89.

Introduction

Nanoparticles: have at least one dimension in the 1-100 nm range

$147 billion dollars worth of nano-enabled products produced in 2007 – increase to $3.1 trillion in 2015

Concern about health hazards of nanoparticles – quantum dots & carbon nanotubesHazard – relationship between dose and

acute & chronic responses of substanceHazards are encountered during material processing, transporting, manufacturing, use, & disposalFocus on risk mitigation – minimize risk and maximize benefits

http://chemwebsearch.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/poison-symbol.png

http://blogs.cornell.edu/theessentials/files/2010/01/money.jpg

Morose, Gregory. "The 5 principles of ‘‘Design for Safer Nanotechnology’’." Journal of Cleaner Production 18 (2010): 285-89. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.

Methods

Design approaches Applied during the design stage for

nanoparticles Non-design approaches

Applied during subsequent stages in the product life cycle: material processing, product manufacturing, use, and end-of-life.

Use techniques from several fields: hygiene, cleaner production, product stewardship

About 70% of the costs of product’s development, manufacture, and use is determined in the initial design of a product – mitigate risk during design stage rather than downstream

Five design principles presented in following slides – initial foundation to mitigate risk

http://www.rave-tech.com/userfiles/product-development-1.jpg


1. Size, Surface, & Structure Can affect fundamental nanoparticle properties –

color, conductivity, melting point, reactivity, etc. Want to change the property so that functionality is preserved, but health risk is mitigated

Relationship between particle size and risk

Surface: surface chemistry, surface charge,surface morphology, surface roughness, &contamination

Greater the surface area/mass of particle, the greater the toxicity

Structure: crystal structure, shape, porosity, chemical composition, aggregation, etc.

Researchers state that ‘‘carbon materials with different geometric structures exhibit quite different cytotoxicity and bioactivity in vitro’’ Morose, Gregory. "The 5 principles of ‘‘Design for Safer Nanotechnology’’."

Journal of Cleaner Production 18 (2010): 285-89. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2007/07/070709171558-large.jpg

2. Alternative Materials

Using alternate materials to replace the hazardous nanoparticle – but still provide desired functionality Combination of materials Substitution Careful analysis of alternate materials needed

If no alternates available, may need to redesign product so that hazardous material no longer used

Morose, Gregory. "The 5 principles of ‘‘Design for Safer Nanotechnology’’." Journal of Cleaner Production 18 (2010): 285-89. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. http://dipc.ehu.es/nano2006/Nanoparticles.jpg

3. Functionalization

Intentional bonding of atoms or molecules to nanoparticles to change the properties of the nanoparticles

Desired product properties preserved, but hazard is reduced

Biomedical applications of nanotechnology – need to be able to excrete nanoparticles after use instead of them accumulating in the body

Can be accomplished by changing the solubility of the particle

http://www.ifm.liu.se/compchem/research/pics/Gd2O3.gif


4. Encapsulation

Completely enclose a nanoparticle in another nonhazardous material

Can prevent a toxic material from releasing before appropriate times For example, in cancer treatment, potent

medicine is encapsulated to make sure that it does not affect non-cancerous cells

http://www.entertainingcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/encapsulation.jpg


5. Reduce the Quantity

If the above four principles can not be applied, reducing the quantity of the hazardous material will reduce the total hazard presented

For example, the amount of mercury in fluorescent light bulbs greatly reduced through design engineering

http://www.cpbn.org/files/images/CFL_Lamps_Image.img_assist_custom.jpgMorose, Gregory. "The 5 principles of ‘‘Design for Safer Nanotechnology’’." Journal of Cleaner Production 18 (2010): 285-89. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.

Applications

Concern of nanoparticles harming human health One such concern is in the lungs: fiber length can

result in incomplete or frustrated phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages

Redox activity can cause large amount of reactive oxygen species, which can damage lipids and DNA

Can reduce the adverse effects carbon nanotubes Through changing the size, surface, and functionalization of the nanotube

http://mrbarlow.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/carbon-nanotube.jpg


Conclusions

More research needs to be done to individual products to ensure that the five design principles for safer nanotechnology can be fully applied

Lack of comprehensive data for product hazard, performance and exposure potential for different sizes, shapes, and surfaces of nanoparticles.


Nanotechnology – Environment, Health, and SafetyPart II - Comparison

Introduction

Nanotechnology:▪ Involves the manufacture, processing, and

application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at the nanometer scale

Many new nanoparticle (NP) products have been released into the market

Potential (eco)toxicological effects and impacts of NPs have received little attention

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/nanotech_environment.php

Introduction

Need to generate a better understanding of negative impacts that NPs may have on: Biological systems Environment in normal exposure Environment in the event of unintended releases

Little is known about the environmental or industrial health and safety of nanoparticles

http://www.insitupm.co.uk/images/quality&environment.jpg

EHS

Environment, health, and safety (EHS) EHS concerns businesses venturing into

nanotechnology Potential Concerns

Exposure through dermal penetration and/or inhalation

Translocation through bloodstream Accumulation in various organs Penetration through cell membranes

Monica, John and Calster Geert van. “A Nanotechnology Legal Framework.” 2010.

http://singularityhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nanotechnology.jpg

EHS

Inhalation Research Some particles traverse epithelial and

endothelial cells to reach the blood and lymph circulation

This carries them to potentially sensitive sites:▪ Bone marrow▪ Lymph nodes▪ Spleen▪ Heart▪ Central nervous systemSchmidt, Charles W. “Nanotechnology- Related Environment, Health,

and Safety Research. April 2009. http://www.topnews.in/files/nanotechnology_0.jpg

The Right Dose

Dose is linked to the “amount of material” involved in exposure

Linked typically to “mass” Nanoparticles – large surface area to mass

ratio – increased surface reactivity Debate about whether the correct metric

should be particle number or surface area

Savolainen, Kai. “Safety of engineered nanomaterials and emerging nanotechnologies – do we know enough to allow us to make reliable judgements?” 2009.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/stds/images/syringe.jpg

Challenges

Currently 50,000 different types of carbon nanotubes – uses include: Raw materials Production Processes Catalysts

Providing reliable data for safety and risk assessment is an immense task

Assessing the toxicity and risk of these materials is well beyond available resources

http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/nanotube-tube-3d-model/214104

http://image.spreadshirt.net/image-server/image/composition/16269107/view/1/producttypecolor/2/type/png/width/280/height/280


Challenges

Characterization of NPs and understanding the association between these characteristics and their toxic effects

Defining ports of entry and translocation of these materials within the body

Defining the critical target organs of NPs and understanding the mechanisms of toxicity of these materials

Providing reliable and affordable means for assessment of exposure to NPs in different environments


Laws and Regulations

Nano-Product Legal Life Cycle Supply Manufacturing Intermediate use Consumer End-of-life disposal

Need regulations in all areas


Legal Issues

Risk can be mitigated once the liability is established in these areas: Intellectual Property Workplace and occupational liability Commercial and contractual liability Government regulation Product and tort liability


http://www.commercialcleaningincharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/osha-logosvg.png

NIOSH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recognizes that airborne or “free”

nanoparticles present the greatest exposure risks.

Performs research on how to best protect workers

Engineered nanoscale material’s fundamental toxicity characteristics differ from their bulk counterparts


NIOSH’s Recommendations

Employ interim occupational exposure measures

Limit exposure to nanoscale materials in the gaseous phases or powders

Monitor amount of material, duration of use, and particle size

Prevent consumption of food and beverages in the nano-workplace

Use traditional environmental engineering controls


http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infohs/whmis/ppe_symbols.html

Further Research

Instrumentation, metrology, and analytical methods

Nanomaterials and human health Nanomaterials and the environment Human and environmental exposure

assessment Risk management Methods

http://www.nextscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/nanoparticles.jpg

http://www.foresight.org/Nanomedicine/Gallery/Images/nanobots.jpg

Conclusions

Nanomaterials will be produced at ever-increasing quantities, and public and environmental exposures will rise commensurately

Little is known about the health aspects regarding nanotechnology and a few areas to consider before production are:▪ Occupational Safety▪ Consumer Safety▪ Environment

Schmidt, Charles W. “Nanotechnology- Related Environment, Health, and Safety Research. April 2009.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TZ4zYEBSw1I/RcD5FpxxkRI/AAAAAAAAAmM/wjwsMnnYOE8/s1600/nano_hazard.jpg

The evolution of risk perceptions about nanotechnologyPart III

http://www.inbt.jhu.edu/images/newsimages/lung_image.gif

Michael A Cacciatore, Dietram A. Scheufele, and Elizabeth A. Corley - "From Enabling Technology to Applications: The Evolution of Risk Perceptions about Nanotechnology." Sage Publications (2009).

Risk Perception Studies

Primarily, risk and benefit perceptions of the public have been measured in a broad sense. This was suitable for when nanotechnology first

came about. This method however does not account for

perceptions of nanotechnology for the specific applications that have emerged.

http://www.urenco.com/uploads/images/safety%20sign.JPG

Cacciatore, Michael A., Dietram A. Scheufele, and Elizabeth A. Corley. "From Enabling Technology to Applications: The Evolution of Risk Perceptions about Nanotechnology." Sage Publications (2009).

The Nano Debate

Despite its seemingly unlimited potential, and an estimated market of $3.1 trillion for nanotechnology based products by 2015, there is some controversy surrounding nanotechnology. Studies have began to examine the effects of

fullerenes (spherical carbon atoms ) on fish, microorganisms, and human liver cells.

Carbon nanotubes have also been linked to inflammation in the human lungs.

http://www.electronicsunset.org/sites/electronicsunset.org/files/images/nano8.img_assist_custom.jpg


Opinion Formation

Mental Associations When asked about nanotechnology what

mental associations does a specific person make?▪ How does this effect their perception of

nanotechnology. Will someone who associates nanotechnology

to the medical field have a different view then someone who associates it with the military applications?

http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=human+brain&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&start=0


Opinion formation

Ideological values It has been shown that religious and cultural

beliefs have a strong effect on their perception of an technology.

What effect does a persons religious strength have on their view of nanotechnology?

How do political views affect peoples perception?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u589/World_Religion.gif


Opinion formation

News and Media News and media has been shown to have a key

role in shaping public perceptions. How does the amount of science media effect a

persons perception of nanotechnology?

http://img.webring.com/r/n/news/logohttp://www.johnehrenfeld.com/careful-scientist.gif


Methodology

To find the answers to these questions A random survey of 1,015 people The questions were randomized for each

participant Things such as education level, attention to

science media, and religious intensity were rated on a ten point scale

Significant effort was made for call backs of refusals to eliminate bias.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/ports/cargo/images/clipboard.jpg


Results

The survey showed: That more educated people were more likely to support

nanotechnology. That religious intensity didn’t effect a persons support for

nanotechnology. That liberals are more likely to express support for

nanotechnology than conservatives. That the more a person pays attention to science

television programs, the more likely they are to support nanotechnology.

That a person’s mental association of nanotechnology did effect their risk perceptions - biggest variance being in the medical field


http://nwbacreditrestoration.com/images/results.JPG

Results – Support for Nanotechnology


Results – Usefulness of Nanotechnology


Further Research

Further research needs to be conducted to show if the public’s perception can change Would it change if nanotechnology helped in a

major breakthrough – such as a cure for cancer? Also would like to know if educational

materials on nanotechnology would improve public opinion Television commercials, brochures,

public messages, school books, etc Would nanotechnology become more

accepting in the future because it will be heard of more or around for longer?

http://www.kyb.mpg.de/de/ernstgroup/learning_logo.jpg

References

Cacciatore, Michael A., Dietram A. Scheufele, and Elizabeth A. Corley. "From Enabling Technology to Applications: The Evolution of Risk Perceptions about Nanotechnology." Sage Publications (2009). Sage. 9 Oct. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2010. <http://pus.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0963662509347815v1>.


Monica, John and Calster Geert van. “A Nanotechnology Legal Framework.” 2010


Schmidt, Charles W. “Nanotechnology- Related Environment, Health, and Safety Research. April 2009.

Bouwmeester, Hans, et. al. “Review of health safety aspects of nanotechnologies in food production.” 2008.

Fairbrother, Anne, et. al. “Are environmental regulations keeping up with innovation? A case study of the nanotechnology industry.” 2009.

Documents

Short Project (Midterm) CHEN 489 Prepared by: Group U6 - Pavitra Timbalia, Michael Trevathan, Jared Walker