nanotechnology occupational health & safety

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 2008

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Nanotechnology Occupational Health & Safety

Dr Howard Morris

Nanotechnology OHS Program Manager


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Office of the Australian Safety & Compensation Council (OASCC)

Supports the Australian Safety & Compensation Council (ASCC):

– National OHS policy

– National standards and codes of practice

– Emerging OHS issues e.g. nanotechnology OHS

Coordinates Australian Government contributions to international activities to improve OHS and workers compensation:

– United Nations, OECD, ILO, ISO and WHO


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What are nanoparticles?

Particles with at least two dimensions < 100nm– around 1/1000 thickness of human hair

Number of sources– Naturally occurring (nano-sized colloids in milk)– Combustion (in forest fires)– Incidental (in welding fume, diesel exhaust emissions)– Engineered (manufactured)


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Some types of nanoparticles

nanotubes nanofibresnanowool

ANU College of Science


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What are nanotechnologies?

Manipulation of matter on the nanoscale (<100nm)– design, characterisation, production and application of

structures, devices and systems– control of shape, size, composition, functionality

Cover numerous disciplines– chemistry, physics, materials science and

biotechnology


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Why is the use of nanotechnologies attractive?

Engineered nanomaterials have unique properties not seen in larger particles of the same substance.

Unique properties relate to particle size.– Strength– Surface area– Reactivity– Electrical Conductivity– Quantum effects

Nanomaterials can be manipulated and functionalised.

Significant potential benefits e.g. economic, health & environmental


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Applications of nanotechnologies

Australian Status – Invest Australia Capability Report (2007)– Substantial research, growing commercialisation– $130million/year (2007) from Department of Innovation, Industry,

Science & Research (DIISR) to support nanotechnology in Australia

Areas of expertise– include biotechnology, electronics, energy, environment, materials

Variety of products, applications in a range of industries– sunscreens– enhanced paints and glass– textiles and cosmetics industries


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Applications of nanotechnologies

Spinning a yarn from carbon nanotubes

Ceramic Fuel Cells

Diagnostic kit


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National Nanotechnology Strategy

Australian Government funding

Coordinated by Australian Office of Nanotechnology (in DIISR)

Aims to maximise benefit from nanotechnologies for Australia while addressing:

– health, safety and environmental issues– ethical and societal issues

Information on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research (DIISR) website:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Section/Innovation/Documents/NNSFeb08.pdf

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Section/Innovation/Documents/NNSFeb08.pdf


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NanotechnologyHealth, Safety and the Environment

Potential for benefits in many areas

Potential health, safety & environment concerns


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Potential health care benefits from nanotechnology

Drug deliveryBiomaterials for orthopaedic and cardiovascular applicationsTissue repairNerve regenerationBone regrowthEarly diagnosis of cancer and infectious disease


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Potential environmental benefits from nanotechnology

Water treatment– Detection of contaminants in water– Reduction of pollutants in water – Waste water treatment– Reduced energy for desalination

Other– Reduction of pollutants in air (e.g. organic vapours)– Environmental remediation– Alternative energy production & low emission electricity– Biodegradable materials


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Why the health & safety concerns?Unique properties (from the size of nanomaterials) may have effects on human health & safety.

– Toxicity (large number/unit mass, high surface area, some are fibre-like)

– Mobility (between organs in body)– Reactivity (flammability, explosivity)

Potential exposure routes– Inhalation, Dermal, Ingestion

Limited (but growing) understanding of hazardous properties of engineered nanomaterials and levels of risk, but:

– More concern about particles that are insoluble, fibre-like, biopersistent, toxic on macro scale

– Where nanomaterials can become airborne & dispersed more easily considered higher risk than embedded particles


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Addressing health & safety concerns

Australian Government Nanotechnology Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Working Group established to help address HSE issues

Coordinated by Australian Office of Nanotechnology (DIISR)

Agencies represented include DEEWR (Office of the ASCC), NICNAS, Health & Ageing, FSANZ, DEWHA, APVMA


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Nanotechnology – Potential Workplace Health & Safety Issues

Need to increase understanding of hazardous properties, but:

we know about potential health impact of emissions that contain nanoparticles– e.g. diesel exhaust emissions

significant existing knowledge about preventing exposure to fine and ultrafine particles


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Nanotechnology OHS Program

Aim: To examine and address OHS issues arising from use of engineered nanomaterials

Reviewing Australia’s OHS regulatory framework

Evaluating and developing workplace controls

OHS support for Australian nanotechnology businesses and research organisations

Nanotechnology OHS research

– collaborating in international research projects essential


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Structures to support Nanotechnology OHS Program

Office of the ASCC Nanotechnology OHS TeamNanotechnology OHS Reference GroupNanotechnology OHS Measurement Reference Group

Office of the ASCC represented on:Australian Government’s Nanotechnology HSE Working GroupStandards Australia Nanotechnology Committee NHMRC Advisory Committee on Health & NanotechnologyISO Technical Committee on NanotechnologyOECD WPMN project on Nanomaterials Exposure Measurement & Mitigation

policy, research & development collaboration & coordination


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Australian OHS Framework ExaminedBackground

95% of workplace chemicals importedRequirements for chemicals based on UN, EU and US systems Submissions to National OHS Review include comment about nanotechnology

IssuesNanomaterials are regulated as workplace chemicalsOHS Regulations - general obligations apply to nanomaterialsNew OHS Regulations specifically for engineered nanomaterials are probably not required

– though detail may be added to current regulations e.g. exposure standards for engineered nanomaterials possibly

But there are issues that impact on how well we can regulate engineered nanomaterials currently


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Issues impacting on regulation & management

Understanding of hazardous properties of engineered nanomaterials

– impacts on Classification & information in MSDS & labels

Detection & measurement of engineered nanomaterials in workplace settings

Effectiveness of conventional workplace controls in preventing exposure to engineered nanomaterials?

Providing support for Australian nanotechnology organisations

Need to be consistent with international approaches– e.g. in development of exposure standards


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Addressing the issues

Work under Nanotechnology OHS Program focussed on these issues

Nanotechnology OHS Reference Group established to help provide nationally consistent approaches


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Addressing the regulatory issues

Commissioning review of MSDS & labelling for workplace use of nanomaterials

Commissioning work to examine group-based exposure standards for engineered nanomaterials

Ensure new Hazardous Chemicals National Standard & Code of Practice covers nanotechnology appropriately


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Projects to help understand hazards

Review of international health hazard research underway by Toxikos Pty Ltd - updating the 2006 report

Commissioning review of safety (physicochemical hazards) e.g. flammability, exposivity

Aiming to support collaborative toxicology research (e.g. on carbon nanotubes)

Participate in international forums considering classification issues (e.g. ISO, OECD)


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Detection & measurement issues

Aim to measure:

– Exposure levels of workers

– Emissions from processes

– If workplace controls are adequate

– Comparison with Exposure Standards (when developed)

What to measure?

– Number concentration

– Size distribution

– Shape & chemistry


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Detection & measurement issues

Measurement of engineered nanomaterials is not straightforward

– Variations in background levels of incidental nanoparticles

– Engineered nanoparticles agglomerate, aggregate & stick to larger particles in air

– Wide variety of shapes, sizes and types


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Developing workplace nanoparticle measurement capability

Aims:

– Develop reliable, reproducible measurement procedures

Ideally: Need cheap, portable measurement devices for use in workplace

Australian Nanotechnology OHS Measurement Reference Group established

– Measurement experts, regulators, occupational hygienists, researchers

– Evaluate instruments & develop measurement advice, procedures, guidance

– Chair: Workplace Health & Safety Queensland


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Nanomaterial measurement capability projects

Participate in OECD WPMN project on Nanomaterials Exposure Measurement & Mitigation

– Draft procedure on nanomaterials emission assessment developed

– Currently being examined by Australian Nanotechnology OHS Measurement Reference Group

– Plan to validate & use procedure in Australia

Plan to support project on carbon nanotubes detection & measurement


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Nanotechnology – Workplace control

Applying the hierarchy of control for nanomaterials– Eliminating hazards through effective design – Substitution or nanoparticle modification– Equipment enclosure and isolation from people– Local exhaust ventilation (extraction)– Administrative controls– Personal protective equipment


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Effectively controlling exposures

Significant existing knowledge about control of fine and ultrafine particles

But are conventional controls (e.g. Local Exhaust Ventilation & Use of PPE) effective for the expanding range of nanomaterials?

Current evidence suggests:– Some (at least) can be effective in preventing exposure

– But they need to be appropriately applied to use with engineered nanomaterials


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Projects on workplace controls

Current project

– Review of evidence on effectiveness of workplace controls (RMIT University)

Planned project

– planning field studies to assess effectiveness of existing controls for nanotechnology

These projects will inform:

– development of guidance material

– future research priorities


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A precautionary approach to control

The Office of the OASCC is advocating a precautionary approach be taken to controlling exposures to engineered nanomaterials

Until our understanding of risk improves, our advice to the Australian nanotechnology organisations is to:

Use the best practicable means of preventing or minimising workplace exposures to engineered nanomaterials


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Support for nanotechnology organisations

Information on Nanotechnology OHS web pages on ASCC website http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/HealthSafety/EmergingIssues/Nanotechnology/

Guidance materials development

• Contributed to ISO Technical Report on Health and Safety Practices in Occupational Settings Relevant to Nanotechnologies

• Commissioning work to examine BSI Guide to Safe Handling & Disposal of Manufactured Nanomaterials

Field studies project will also provide advice for participating organisations

http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/HealthSafety/EmergingIssues/Nanotechnology/


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Laser printer particle emissions

In 2007, researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) led by Professor Lidia Morawska:

– Found 27% of laser printers tested to be “high” emitters of ultrafine particles

(“high” – a large number of particles emitted)– Up to 5-fold increase in airborne particulates in offices during working

hours

This research did not:– Investigate the composition of particles– Investigate potential health effects

However, there was a large amount of interest globally in the work


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Follow-up work on laser printer particle emissions

QUT team has:– investigated chemistries of particles being emitted

– investigated factors that cause emissions of large numbers of particles

– results are soon to be published

– information (on FAQs) recently added to QUT website

Office of ASCC will be supporting 3rd stage of project at QUT to:

– further measure the concentration of printer particles in workplaces

– look at air flows & ventilation and particle distributions

– review guidance for use of laser printers & produce new information if needed (based on findings)

– aim completion by June 2009


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Summary

Many beneficial applications of nanotechnologies now & in the future

OHS regulations for chemicals in general also cover engineered nanomaterials

There are a number of OHS issues associated with nanotechnologies

Nanotechnology OHS Program is working to help address these issues


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Acknowledgments

Office of the ASCC colleagues in helping prepare this presentation

Images courtesy of:

CSIRO, Kenelec Scientific Pty Ltd, DHHS (NIOSH), NanoSafe Australia Network, Ceramic Fuel Cells, Catapult Innovations, Invest Australia, ANU College of Science

Enquiries email: [email protected]

Website: www.ascc.gov.au

mailto:[email protected]

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