Current regulations and information concerning Nanotechnology

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EPA Nanotechnology White paper February 2007, http://www.epa.gov/OSA/pdfs/nanotech...ruary-2007.pdf

Progress towards safe nanotechnology in the workplace: 2007--CDC/NIOSH, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/

NIOSH is the leading federal agency conducting research and providing guidance on the occupational safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology. This research focuses NIOSH’s scientific expertise, and its efforts, on answering the questions that are essential to understanding these implications and applications:

* How might workers be exposed to nano-sized particles in the manufacturing or industrial use of nanomaterials?
* How do nanoparticles interact with the body’s systems?
* What effects might nanoparticles have on the body’s systems?

As part of this effort, NIOSH is conducting strategic planning and research, partnering with public and private-sector colleagues from the United States and abroad, and making the information and interim recommendations widely available. As observers generally agree, research to answer these questions is critical for maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the growing and dynamic nanotechnology market.
progress toward safe nanotechnology cover
Nanotechnology Spotlight:
Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123
This document is a report of the progress of the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) since its inception in 2004 through 2006. Using only internally redirected resources, the NTRC has begun to make contributions to all the steps in the continuum from hazard identification to risk management.

Critical Topic Areas

NIOSH has identified 10 critical topic areas to guide in addressing knowledge gaps, developing strategies, and providing recommendations.

Each topic provides a brief description of the research that NIOSH is conducting in the area of nanotechnology and the applications and implications of nanomaterials in the workplace.

Toxicity & Internal Dose Research includes investigating key factors and mechanisms, developing predictive models for toxicity, and determining metrics of dose.

Risk Assessment Activities include evaluating current research, developing an assessment framework, and conducting workplace risk assessments relevant to nanomaterials.

Epidemiology & Surveillance Activities include evaluating current scientific knowledge of nanomaterials, identifying research and data gaps, integrating nanotechnology safety and health issues into existing surveillance mechanisms, and building on existing public health infrastructure to advance data sharing.

Engineering Controls & PPE Research includes developing, evaluating, and improving engineering controls, personal protective equipment, work practices, and administrative controls to reduce workplace exposures to nanoparticles.

Measurement Methods Research includes evaluating current measurement methods, and developing and validating new instruments and methods for use in the workplace.

Exposure Assessment Research includes determining the fate of nanomaterials in the workplace, assessing worker exposures, and determining the internal dose.

Applications Activities include identifying uses of nanotechnology that applies to workplace safety and health, and evaluate and disseminate effective applications.

Fire & Explosion Safety Activities include investigating and recommending appropriate work practices to promote and increase health and safety in the workplace.

Recommendations & Guidance Using the best available science, make interim recommendations for workplace safety and health practices in the production and use of nanomaterials.

Communication & Education Activities include developing and disseminating effective educational and training materials for workers and occupational health professionals, and developing and collaborating with global partners.

Interim Recommendations
In “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology,” NIOSH invites information and comment from stakeholders. This information exchange will advance our shared understanding of the current scientific knowledge related to occupational safety and health issues. This living document also makes recommendations for interim steps in employing the range of control technologies, work practices, and personal protective equipment demonstrated to be effective with other fine and ultrafine particles. These recommendations will be refined as more data become available.
Contributions

* NIOSH is at the forefront of U.S. research to understand the occupational health implications of nanomaterials.
* NIOSH offers interim guidelines for working with nanomaterials, consistent with the best scientific knowledge.
* NIOSH provides a global online library on nanomaterials as a working resource for researchers and others.
* NIOSH publishes new findings and recommendations as its research advances.

[beverlybdmd]

EPA Nanotechnology White paper February 2007, http://www.epa.gov/OSA/pdfs/nanotech...ruary-2007.pdf

Progress towards safe nanotechnology in the workplace: 2007--CDC/NIOSH, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/

NIOSH is the leading federal agency conducting research and providing guidance on the occupational safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology. This research focuses NIOSH’s scientific expertise, and its efforts, on answering the questions that are essential to understanding these implications and applications:

* How might workers be exposed to nano-sized particles in the manufacturing or industrial use of nanomaterials?
* How do nanoparticles interact with the body’s systems?
* What effects might nanoparticles have on the body’s systems?

As part of this effort, NIOSH is conducting strategic planning and research, partnering with public and private-sector colleagues from the United States and abroad, and making the information and interim recommendations widely available. As observers generally agree, research to answer these questions is critical for maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the growing and dynamic nanotechnology market.
progress toward safe nanotechnology cover
Nanotechnology Spotlight:
Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-123
This document is a report of the progress of the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) since its inception in 2004 through 2006. Using only internally redirected resources, the NTRC has begun to make contributions to all the steps in the continuum from hazard identification to risk management.

Critical Topic Areas

NIOSH has identified 10 critical topic areas to guide in addressing knowledge gaps, developing strategies, and providing recommendations.

Each topic provides a brief description of the research that NIOSH is conducting in the area of nanotechnology and the applications and implications of nanomaterials in the workplace.

Toxicity & Internal Dose Research includes investigating key factors and mechanisms, developing predictive models for toxicity, and determining metrics of dose.

Risk Assessment Activities include evaluating current research, developing an assessment framework, and conducting workplace risk assessments relevant to nanomaterials.

Epidemiology & Surveillance Activities include evaluating current scientific knowledge of nanomaterials, identifying research and data gaps, integrating nanotechnology safety and health issues into existing surveillance mechanisms, and building on existing public health infrastructure to advance data sharing.

Engineering Controls & PPE Research includes developing, evaluating, and improving engineering controls, personal protective equipment, work practices, and administrative controls to reduce workplace exposures to nanoparticles.

Measurement Methods Research includes evaluating current measurement methods, and developing and validating new instruments and methods for use in the workplace.

Exposure Assessment Research includes determining the fate of nanomaterials in the workplace, assessing worker exposures, and determining the internal dose.

Applications Activities include identifying uses of nanotechnology that applies to workplace safety and health, and evaluate and disseminate effective applications.

Fire & Explosion Safety Activities include investigating and recommending appropriate work practices to promote and increase health and safety in the workplace.

Recommendations & Guidance Using the best available science, make interim recommendations for workplace safety and health practices in the production and use of nanomaterials.

Communication & Education Activities include developing and disseminating effective educational and training materials for workers and occupational health professionals, and developing and collaborating with global partners.

Interim Recommendations
In “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology,” NIOSH invites information and comment from stakeholders. This information exchange will advance our shared understanding of the current scientific knowledge related to occupational safety and health issues. This living document also makes recommendations for interim steps in employing the range of control technologies, work practices, and personal protective equipment demonstrated to be effective with other fine and ultrafine particles. These recommendations will be refined as more data become available.
Contributions

* NIOSH is at the forefront of U.S. research to understand the occupational health implications of nanomaterials.
* NIOSH offers interim guidelines for working with nanomaterials, consistent with the best scientific knowledge.
* NIOSH provides a global online library on nanomaterials as a working resource for researchers and others.
* NIOSH publishes new findings and recommendations as its research advances.