Nanotechnology Environment, Health, and Safety

							Nanotechnology: Environment, Health,
            and Safety
                    Clark A. Miller, PhD

       Associate Director for Education and Outreach
           Center for Nanotechnology in Society
                    Arizona State University
                 http://cns.asu.edu/index.htm

                            June 6, 2008
        CNS-ASU research, education and outreach activities are supported by the
           National Science Foundation under cooperative agreement #0531194.
                              Objectives

   What is nanotechnology?
   Why is nanotechnology so exciting?
   What are emerging product areas?
   Are there risks associated with nanotechnology?
   What guidelines exist for nanotechnology EHS
    protection?
   Where can resources be found about nanotechnology
    EHS?



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                       What is nanotechnology?
   Nanotechnology is defined as the ability to visualize, analyze, and
    manipulate materials on molecular scales of approximately 0.1 to
    100 nm.
   By 2015, the National Science Foundation estimates that
    nanotechnology will have a $1 trillion impact on the global economy
    and will employ 2 million workers, 1 million of which may be in the
    United States (Roco and Bainbridge 2001).
   Estimates of the market for carbon nanotubes are $1-2 billion by
    2015 (Thayer 2007).
   Nanotechnology is a broad classification that includes a wide range
    of applications across a wide range of technology platforms,
    including scanning, tunneling, and atomic force microscopy, next
    generation semiconductors, nanoparticles, nano-bio molecules, thin
    film technologies, nano-sensors and other nano-devices, quantum
    dots, quantum computing, and many, many more.


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Scaling matter




                 4
What is nanotechnology?




                          5
Go Sun Devils!




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                          Why nanotechnology?

   Properties of materials change dramatically at nanoscales. For
    example:
        Color: Gold nanoparticles in suspension are red
        Friction: Oils, on nanoscales, are made up of large molecules that
         can obstruct motion of physical systems; frictional forces
         dominate in many phycial systems
        Domain: Light and electrons follow quantum rather than classical
         dynamics




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                      Nano Products

   The Woodrow Wilson Project on Emerging
    Nanotechnologies identifies over 600 existing
    consumer products that incorporate nanotechnology
       Vast majority involve nanoparticles: sunscreens,
         paints, cleaners, coatings, protective sprays, clothing,
         detergents, air purifiers, food, kitchen utensils, cooking
         oil, food storage containers, cooking pans, baby
         bottles, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, sports
         equipment, filtration equipment, wood sealants, glass
         sealants, “sandable” glue, etc.
       Others are predominantly nanostructured electronics:
         semiconductor chips, hard drives, etc.




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                           Nanoparticle safety research:
                                    highlights
   EPA has concluded that ultrafine particulates, which are defined as less than 100nm,
    are a known health hazard at existing NAAQS standards.
   A growing body of research evidence suggests that exposure to engineered
    nanoparticles can also lead to toxicological effects, especially when breathed in
    through the lungs. Other exposure pathways have been less studied with mixed
    results.
   Few, if any, life cycle studies have been done on nano-based products to determine
    whether exposures to nanoparticles can occur during production, use, or disposal of
    products.
   Disposal of molecular compounds (such as pharmaceutical drugs) is known to have
    contaminated water supplies; whether disposal of household products with
    nanoparticles will behave similarly is not known, nor is the environmental or health
    impact.
   Toxicology data on macro-scale materials may or may not be relevant to
    understanding the toxicology of nano-scale materials. Properties change.
   In general, considerable uncertainties exist in our current understanding of
    environmental and health consequences of nanoparticles and other nanotechnologies.
    But, there are good reasons to believe that some forms of toxicity will emerge.
   My view is that we should be careful and assume an elevated safety posture.

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        Nanoparticle safety research: a few
                    examples
   Ultrafine particulate matter, which EPA defines as
    particulates less than 100nm in size, is a known health
    hazard from considerable research sponsored by EPA and
    other government agencies.
        http://www.epa.gov/NHEERL/research/pm/index.html
        Ultrafine particles are estimated to cause 100,000 deaths per year
          in the US (Schwartz et al. 2002)
        “The comparability of engineered NPs to UFPs suggests that the
          human health effects are likely to be similar. Therefore, it is
          prudent to elucidate their toxicologic effect to minimize
          occupational and environmental exposure.” (Gwynn and Vallyathan
          2006)
        Elder et al (2006) observe that the carbon nanoparticles enter the
          brain by moving down the brain cells that pick up odours and
          transmit signals to the olfactory bulb.




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                   Nanoparticle safety research: a few
                               examples
   Studies have shown that fullerene (C60) molecules in solution cause
    peroxidation of lipids in the brains of aquatic species and have significant
    detrimental effects on the development and reproduction of aquatic species
    (Oberdorster 2004; Oberdorster et al. 2006)
                                          http://www.ehponline.org/members/2004/7
                                           021/7021.html
                                          http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2005.11.
                                           008




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                  Nanoparticle safety research: a few
                              examples
   Recent studies on mice have identified that long carbon nanotubes
    that look like asbestos fibers cause similar pathological precursors to
    lung cancer as asbestos (Poland et al. 2008;
    http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/mwcnt/;
    http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2008.111.html
    )
      “[E]xposing the mesothelial lining of the body cavity of mice, as a
        surrogate for the mesothelial lining of the chest cavity, to long
        multiwalled carbon nanotubes results in asbestos-like, length-
        dependent, pathogenic behaviour. This includes inflammation and
        the formation of lesions known as granulomas. This is of
        considerable importance, because research and business
        communities continue to invest heavily in carbon nanotubes for a
        wide range of products5 under the assumption that they are no more
        hazardous than graphite. Our results suggest the need for further
        research and great caution before introducing such products into the
        market if long-term harm is to be avoided.”


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                            Nanosafety guidelines
   From NIOSH report “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology” (2006).
     Many uncertainties exist regarding occupational risks from
        engineered nanotechnologies
       Material safety data sheets for bulk materials may not be accurate
        for the same material in the form of nanoparticles
       “Current scientific evidence indicates that nanoparticles may be
        more biologically reactive than larger particles of similar chemical
        composition and thus may pose a greater health risk when inhaled.”
       Particle shape and surface area may be more important than mass
        in determining toxicity
       Quantum dots have been shown to penetrate the skin; ingestion can
        also be an exposure route
       Other safety concerns can include fire and explosion (especially for
        nanoparticle powders) and catalytic reaction
       A range of possible workshop exposure pathways should be
        investigated and mitigated using standard chemical and material
        safety practices (gloves, masks, hoods, HEPA filters, etc.)

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                               Nanosafety guidelines
   From NIOSH report “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology” (2006).
     “Until further information on the possible health risks and extent of
        occupational exposure to nanomaterials becomes available, interim
        precautionary measures should be developed and implemented.”
       “In the absence of specific exposure limits or guidelines for engineered
        nanoparticles, exposure data gathered from the use of respirable samplers
        [NIOSH 1994b] can be used to determine the need for engineering controls
        or work practices and for routine exposure monitoring of processes and job
        tasks.”
       “For most processes and job tasks, the control of airborne exposure to
        nanoparticles can most likely be accomplished using a wide variety of
        engineering control techniques similar to those used in reducing exposures
        to general aerosols.”
       “Current knowledge indicates that a well-designed exhaust ventilation
        system with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter should effectively
        remove nanoparticles.”
       “Every workplace dealing with nanoparticles, engineered nanomaterials, or
        other aspects of nanotechnology should consider the need for an
        occupational health surveillance program.”


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               Resources for Nano Risk Information
   NIOSH Nanotechnology Information
    http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/
   EPA Nanotechnology Information
    http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/
   FDA Nanotechnology Information
    http://www.fda.gov/nanotechnology/
   Woodrow Wilson Institute Project on Emerging
    Nanotechnologies http://www.nanotechproject.org/
   UW Madison Nano Risk Resources
    http://www.nsec.wisc.edu/NanoRisks/NS--NanoRisks.php
   UK Safe Nano Project http://www.safenano.org/

   ICON http://icon.rice.edu/resources.cfm


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                             Measurement

   You can collect nanoparticles with filters, but you
    probably can’t detect them.
   Condensation particle counters ($6K - $20K) size range
    2 to 1000nm
   Other technologies such as low pressure impactors and
    SMPS relatively expensive
   Combustion aerosols




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                             Controls

   http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/
   Control Banding
   Ad Hoc exposure limits
   Pharmaceutical Model




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                      Respiratory Protection

   Expect conventional technology to be effective
   Watch for “dirty jobs” (cleaning reactors and equipment)




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                        ASU EH&S Planning

   Communicate concerns to Research Community
   Sponsor seminars
   Modify CHP with nano guidance
   Educate staff to better support labs




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