Nanotechnology Initiative

1. Nanotechnology Initiative IISP Workshop Gaithersburg, Maryland May 23 - 24, 2006 Paul F. Wambach, CIHIndustrial Hygienist Office of Epidemiology and Health Surveillance

2. Outline of Talk • What is nanotechnology? • What is the National Nanotechnology Initiative? • ES&H Risks • Risk Management Initiatives

3. 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 Nanoarea Electron Diffraction of DW Carbon Nanotube – Zuo, et.al Corral of Fe Atoms – D. Eigler

4. 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)

5. Unique Properties From Size Quantum Size Effect in Cadmium Selenide 3 nm 4 nm 5 nm 6 nm 7 nm Color of fluorescence determined by size of particles

6. Material removal from HiPCO reactor Removing material from laser ablation reactor Nanoscale Engineered Material Production

7. Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanotubes Nanoropes Catalyst particles Non-tubular carbon Courtesy Andrew Maynard - NIOSH Raw single walled carbon nanotube material.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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 …?

11. 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)

12. Airborne Nanomaterials Courtesy Andrew Maynard - NIOSH PROCESS Primary Particles Aggregates & Agglomerates Droplets Residue can have nanostructure And high surface area Deposition throughout the respiratory tract and gut 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

13. Primary Particles Small Compared to Cells

14. ES&H Challenges • No standard nomenclature or material specifications • Hazard testing not keeping pace with materials development • No exposure limits • Hype – research and materials called nano to gain support • Dread – exotic, unfamiliar hazard

15. 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 Group • NIOSH 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.

16. Integrated Safety Management

17. 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?

18. 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?

19. 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?

20. Feedback and Improvement • Occurrence Investigation and Reporting • Definition of a nanotechnology occurrence • Health Surveillance • Medical Surveillance – sentinel health event or unusual pattern of injury, illness, or clinical finding • Exposure Surveillance – unusual events or higher than expected exposures • Health and exposure data linked to individual identifier • Routine collection, analysis and dissemination of information to those who need to know

21. 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.