Nanotechnology and Health

1. Nanotechnology and Health Todd Irick, MSc., CIH Occupational Hygienist

2. silicon nano strands (green) from an indium droplet (blue)

3. Presentation Outline Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Nano Products Nano Scale Nano Health Nano Controls Nano Resources

4. Nanomaterials NaturalVolcanoes, forest fire, ocean spray, viruses and biomolecules IncidentalCombustion engines, incinerators, jet engines, welding fumes EngineeredNano tubes, spheres and wires, metal oxides and polymers

5. Nanotechnology ‘Revolution’ in science • Discovery of nanoscale behaviour of elements and chemicals • Quantum size effect: “electronic properties of solids are altered with great reductions in particle size” • Trillion dollar industry Nanotechnology: ‘molecular manufacturing’ • Manipulation of matter at atomic, molecular and macromolecular scale to create new structures, materials and devices • 1-100 nanometer (nm) scale length • Core: synthesis of engineered nanoparticles

6. The Nano Scale Taken from: http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/nanotech072507.html One nanometer (nm) is one billionth (10-9), of a meter or one billion nanometers equals one meter One million times smaller than the tennis ball

7. Uses of Nanotechnology • Cosmetics • Recreation • Household • Engineering • Textile • Food & Beverages • Chemical industry • Auto industry • Construction • Pharmaceutical • Energy • Electronics

8. Applications of Nanotechnology Use in wide variety of novel applications • Materials: Nano powders • Medical & Biological: smart drugs, imaging, disease detection and treatment • Energy & Electronics: computing ability; clean, efficient energy generation • Pollution: prevention and treatment processes, air and water quality • Nano membrane filtration systems

9. Nanoparticles: many shapes, many chemistries Not all nanoparticles are the same! Unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles produce unique bioactivity Understanding the relationship between nanoparticle properties & bioactivity is important for predicting relative pathogenicity Physicochemical properties • Particle Size • Particle Shape • Oxidant Generation Capacity • Surface Functionalization • Rate of Dissolution

10. Nanotube Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Carbon nanotubes are tiny strips of graphite sheets rolled into tubes a few nanometers in diameter and up to hundreds of micrometers (microns) long. considered to be the building blocks of future nanoscale electronic and mechanical devices.

11. Nano Tube Apps Structural elements in bridges, buildings, towers, and cables Open-ended straws for chemical probing and cellular injection Nano electronics including batteries, capacitors, and diodes Microelectronic heat-sinks and insulation due to high thermal conductivity Nanoscale gears and mechanical components Electron guns for flat-panel displays

12. Nano Health Concerns Airborne nanoparticles can be inhaled and deposit in the respiratory tract Inhaled nanoparticles may enter the bloodstream and translocated to other organs Certain nanomaterials can cause rapid and persistent pulmonary fibrosis and cardiovascular dysfunction Can migrate along the olfactory nerve into the brain

13. Nano Health Concerns Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-7) and TiO2 nanoparticles classified by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) as possibly carcinogenic to humans (2B) Some studies have shown similar biological effects when compared with asbestos fibre exposures in the lungs of test animals.

14. Nano Human Tissue Health Effects increased oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA mutation, mitochondria and cell nucleus damage, & cell death Non/slowly-degradable  accumulate in organs Overload phagocytes Move into lung tissues  chronic breathing problems Interaction with biological processes Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radicals

15. Nano Animal Health Effects - Rats inhaling nanoparticles  found in brain & lungs - Inflammation & stress response - Induce skin aging (oxidative stress) - Mice + Nano titanium dioxide = DNA & chromosome damage - Mice inhaling silver nanofibers  capsular in lungs causing inflammation (precursor for cancer?) - Brain & liver damage to fish from fullerenes - Water fleas killed from fullerenes - Soft-bodied organisms have high accumulation of nanoparticles – brain, liver, gills, testis, intestine, bloodstream

16. Nano Exposures

17. Nano Exposure Assessment • Nanomaterials with OELs (occupational exposure limits) NIOSH REL: • 300 ug/m3 for nano TiO2 • Sample for respirable dust by NIOSH 0600 (gravimetric) • Collect duplicate sample for electron microscopy • 1 ug/m3 for CNT and CNF • Sample for respirable elemental carbon by NIOSH 5040 (diesel particulate) • Collect duplicate sample for electron microscopy • Materials with no OEL: • NIOSH 7402 (TEM) and 7300 (Elements by ICP) • **Breathing Zone/Area/Background**

18. Nano Exposure Assessment Direct Reading Instruments: Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) TSI CPC 3007 – 10 nm to 1000 nm (1 um) Optical Particle Counter (OPC) TSI OPS 3330 – 300 nm to 10,000 nm (10um) TSI DustTrak DRX – 1,2.5, 4.0 and 10.0 um

19. Nano Exposure Assessment • Challenges: • Need for portability and cost effective evaluations • Variability of incidental background nanoparticles • No prescribed counting convention for microscopy (though many are offering suggestions Wipe sampling may also be useful (followed by elemental analysis and microscopy (for nanoparticle and catalysts)

20. Working with Engineered Nanoparticles Certain workplace tasks may increase risk of exposure: Nanoparticles in liquid media w/o adequate PPE (skin) Nanomaterials in liquid involving agitation (droplets) Mechanical disruption of nanomaterials (aerosolization) Handling nanostructured powders (aerosolization) Nanoparticles generation in gaseous phase in non-enclosed systems (aerosolization) Maintenance on equipment / processes; cleaning spills or waste materials Cleaning dust collection systems (skin & inhalation)

21. Nano Control Measures Engineering control (LEV, Class III Biological Safety Cabinet, HEPA filter with greater than 99.97% efficiency for most nano particles enclosures procedures Elimination (for highly toxic substances) Substitution (use of liquid instead of powders) Administrative control (Worker Awareness, Purchasing Process, wet processes, sticky mats/gowning) Personal Protective Equipment (PAPR with HEPA, coveralls for skin protection) Control Banding

22. Nano Control Banding - Qualitative or semi-quantitative risk evaluation technique - Used to provide easy to understand and practical approach to controlling exposures - Consists of the following: Health Hazards (Risk Bands) Exposure Potential (Exposure Bands) + Control Band = www.controlbanding.net www.coshh-essentials.org.uk

23. Nanotechnology and Health Network (NHN) Networking group that gathers and shares information and facilitates knowledge transfer on the topic of nanotechnology and health to workers and workplaces in Ontario  Intent is to ensure sufficient knowledge is available to establish and maintain adequate controls for potential exposures where nanomaterials are present and handled/manipulated The group is a mix of technical experts (e.g. CSA/ISO group members, researchers, regulators etc.) and also representatives that are be directly associated with the workplace operations (unions, health and safety representatives, facility management, etc.)

24. NHN Representation Labour Unifor, Public Service Alliance of Canada, Canadian Union of Public Servants, Canadian Association of University Teachers, Canadian Labour Congress, District Labour Councils Research/Regulatory Health Canada, National Research Council, Natural Resources Canada, Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association, Public Service Health and Safety Association, Workplace Safety North, OHCOW

25. NHN Priorities • Identify methods for identification of specific industries, organizations and operations that produce/use/manipulate nanomaterials • Strategy for prioritizing identified groups (who are most vulnerable?) • Strategy for communicating prioritized groups to discuss/evaluate current practices and control measures • Establishing a process for evaluation and reporting on findings

26. Identification of Facilities/Operations Involved with Nanotechnology www.nanowerk.com – list of organizations involved with the research, development and manufacture of nanomaterials (subset of Canadian facilities available) Health Canada Survey The Nanotechnology Products Database (NPD) lists 6934 products that meet the ISO definitions of nanotechnology and nanotechnology products, from 1361 companies in 52 countries (http://product.statnano.com/). The Consumer Products Inventory (Nanotechproject.org, PEN) lists 1,800+ manufacturer-identified nanotechnology-based consumer products introduced into the market(http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi/products/) The Danish Nano database lists 3025 products (http://nanodb.dk/)

27. Development of On-Line Awareness Tools CCOHS 20-minute on-line awareness course (free to participants); infographic/podcasts Outline: • What is nanotechnology? • What are nanomaterials and how are they made? • Are nanomaterials a health hazard? • What are areas or activities where exposure can occur? • What should be done to control or eliminate worker exposure to nanomaterials? • What is the role of the health and safety committee?

28. February 2018 NIOSH Nano Publications

29. NIOSH Poster a Worker Guide to Prevent Nano Exposures

30. CSA Z12885-12 Nanotechnologies — Exposure control program for engineered nanomaterials in occupational settings 1 Scope 2 Reference publications 3 Definitions and abbreviations 4 Establishment of a nanomaterial exposure prevention and control program Annexes A (informative) — Nanomaterials: Description and manufacturing processes B (informative) — Nanomaterials: Characterization and identification of hazards C (informative) — Nanomaterials: Framework for exposure assessment to nanomaterials D(informative) — Nanomaterials: Hazard and risk assessment methodologies E (informative) — Nanomaterials: Preventive and protective measures Figures 1 — Overview of an occupational health and safety management system 2 — Process flow chart

31. Employee Services and Development Canada (ESDC ENGINEERED NANOPARTICLES Health and Safety Considerations 1. Introduction 2. Definitions 3. Routes of Entry and Health Effects 3.1 Inhalation Exposure to Engineered Nanoparticles 3.2 Dermal and Eye Exposure to Engineered Nanoparticles 4. Existing Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) 5. Potential for Employee Exposure in Federally Regulated Workplaces 6. Methods of Exposure Evaluation 6.1 Risk Assessment and Risk Management 6.2 Challenges in the Sampling Methodology for Nanoparticles 6.3 Inhalation Exposure Assessment 6.4 Dermal Exposure Assessment 7. Control Measures 7.1 Control Banding 8. Summary and Future Directions

32. Summary Identification and awareness in workplaces is required Although health effects are not fully known, enough to support the precautionary principle Ensure products and processes are identified, awareness and training in place Information on recommended control measures is established (wide variety of resources available) based on exposure assessment and control banding

33. Resources http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/nanotechnology.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/science-research/emerging-technology/nanotechnology.html http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/ http://nano.gov/ http://GoodNanoGuide.org http://www.osha.gov/dsg/nanotechnology/nanotech_standards.html www.nanowerk.com www.controlbanding.net www.coshh-essentials.org.uk