ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Where are we?

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation This material –Known for 2000 years –Used for napkins by the Romans –Health aspects identified –Deaths and lung problems in 1917 –Regulation: 1980 What is it? Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology Presentation Outline –Definitions of Nanotechnology –Unknowns factors –Known hazards – standard –Industry Experience – who’s done what? –What do we do? –Protective Equipment

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Definitions Nanoparticles (1 to 100 nm) Ultrafine Particles (< 100 nm) incidental to process. Engineered nanoparticles (1-100 nm) Nano aerosols (>100 nm) Perspective of size: 10 um (length of 10 hydrogen atoms.) Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation From EPA White Paper on Nanotechnology Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Route of Entry: –Most common is inhalation –Deposited in the lungs –May enter the brain in nasal region –Ingestion –Intact Skin (movement along nerves)* *(Based on research, Southern Methodist University, Dr. Eva Oberdörster, 2004) Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Animal & Epidemiological study Hypotheses Physical/chemical effects –Greater respiratory hazard –Oxidative stress, inflammation, production of cytokines –Chemokines, and cell growth factors. –(auto-immune disease production) Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology Surface Area and Activity – Predicting Hazard Greater potential with greater surface area > Pulmonary Effects >Cytotoxicity of water-soluble fullerenes (used as anti-microbial agent)

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Safety & Health Aspects of Nanotechnology Nanotechnology 2 nd Generation ESH Coverage rd Gen 4 th Gen 2015 Where are We?

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology Carcinogenic Effects Long Term effects – Unknown Quantum Dots Single-wall Nanotubes MSDSs –Focus on materials not product

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology Unknowns –Environmental Impact –Delay in exposure data. –MSDS gaps –SIC/NAICs codes not addressed

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology Risk Industry Experience Care in setting up the operations Standard Industry Risks MSDS doesn’t address product

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology The Other side: Same arguments as previously No data, no risk Pressure to go on.

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology System Arrangements – General. Plasma Torch Reaction tube Product Collection Feed air Cooling Water Monitor & interlock UPS Feedstock Relief Valve Quench Tube Vacuum Cooling Jacket Water Recycling line Air, He Containment Side Products Temp Control

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology.. Failure Points Plasma Torch Reaction tube Product Collection Feed air Cooling Water Monitor & interlock UPS Feedstock Relief Valve Quench Tube Vacuum Cooling Jacket Water Recycling line Air, He Temp Control X X X X Leaks spills Leak Clean air Exhaust Vent Intake X

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Hazard Analysis… Protect workers at release points Failure Analysis Interlocks are critical Backup system Configuration Control Reverse Flow conditions

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology Checklists: –Industrial Hygiene –High Temperature –UV/IR hazards –Heavy Metals –Particulates –Fire Risk –Catalytic Reaction

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Concerns… Emergency Response Access Control Maintenance

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Nanotechnology Protective Equipment Respirators (When no controls Work No limits, TLVs, OSHA PELs

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Conclusions –Raise Awareness –Information sharing is important! –Stay connected –Identify Information Gaps –Use what you know. –Limit Access –Configuration Management Nanotechnology

ASSE Conference: April 2006Industrial Hygiene Presentation Where we Don’t want to be…