Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Nanotechnology Occupational Health & Safety Dr Howard Morris Nanotechnology OHS Program Manager

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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)

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Some types of nanoparticles nanotubes nanofibres nanowool ANU College of Science

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Applications of nanotechnologies Spinning a yarn from carbon nanotubes Ceramic Fuel Cells Diagnostic kit

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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:

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Nanotechnology Health, Safety and the Environment Potential for benefits in many areas Potential health, safety & environment concerns

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Potential health care benefits from nanotechnology Drug delivery Biomaterials for orthopaedic and cardiovascular applications Tissue repair Nerve regeneration Bone regrowth Early diagnosis of cancer and infectious disease

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Structures to support Nanotechnology OHS Program Office of the ASCC Nanotechnology OHS Team Nanotechnology OHS Reference Group Nanotechnology OHS Measurement Reference Group Office of the ASCC represented on: Australian Government’s Nanotechnology HSE Working Group Standards Australia Nanotechnology Committee NHMRC Advisory Committee on Health & Nanotechnology ISO Technical Committee on Nanotechnology OECD WPMN project on Nanomaterials Exposure Measurement & Mitigation  policy, research & development collaboration & coordination

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Australian OHS Framework Examined Background 95% of workplace chemicals imported Requirements for chemicals based on UN, EU and US systems Submissions to National OHS Review include comment about nanotechnology Issues Nanomaterials are regulated as workplace chemicals OHS Regulations - general obligations apply to nanomaterials New 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Addressing the issues Work under Nanotechnology OHS Program focussed on these issues Nanotechnology OHS Reference Group established to help provide nationally consistent approaches

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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)

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November Support for nanotechnology organisations Information on Nanotechnology OHS web pages on ASCC website 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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 3 rd 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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

Commonwealth Safety Management Forum, 14 November 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 Website: