1. Nanotechnology: Applications and Implications for the Environment
Alan G. Cummings
CEO and Co-Founder
Seldon Technologies

2. Nanotechnology: Applications and Implications for the Environment
Brenda Barry
Senior Toxicologist
The Cadmus Group

3. Nanotoxicology State-of-the-Science Regarding the Toxicity of Nanomaterials
Brenda E. Barry, Ph.D., R.B.P.
Senior Toxicologist
The Cadmus Group, Inc.

4. Nanotechnology Products Are Here Now
NANO B-12 Vitamin Spray
Dermatone SPF 20 Natural Formula
Samsung Nano
SilverSeal Refrigerator
Curad Silver Bandages
Wilson Double-Core Tennis Balls
Eddie Bauer Ruston Fit Nano-Tex Khakis
Hummer H2
Mercedes CLS Class

5. Environmental Applications for Nanomaterials
Emulsified zero-valent iron for remediation efforts
NM for filtration media
Water
Other fluids
Cerium oxide as diesel fuel additive
NASA's Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron

6. Nanotechnology Challenges
Do nanomaterials (NM) present new and unique risks for health and safety and for the environment?
Can the potential benefits of nanotechnology be achieved while minimizing the potential risks?

7. Categories of Nanomaterials
National Academy of Sciences
Nanotubes
Nanoclays
Quantum dots
Metal oxides
EPA
Carbon-based
Metal-based
Dendrimers
Composites
Quantum Dots
Fullerenes
Carbon Nanotubes

8. Life Cycle of Nanomaterials
Manufacturing
Nanomaterial
manufacturing
Transportation
Nano- Intermediate
Nano-enabled product
Use
End of life
Transportation
Disposal
Sewage
Landfill
From: L. Gibbs 2006

9. Health, Safety, and Environmental Concerns Regarding NM
Human implications
NM toxicity not yet well understood; nano-size materials do not behave like their bulk counterparts
Reactivity of NM due to large surface area
Potential for bioaccumulation
Environmental implications
Contamination of water and soil from improper disposal of NM
Bio-uptake of NM and accumulation in food chain

10. Nanotoxicology
Nanotoxicology – Science of engineered nanodevices and nanostructures that deals with their effects in living organisms (Oberdorster et al )
Potential NM exposure routes include:
Inhalation
Dermal contact
Ingestion

11. Research Approaches to Understand NM Toxicity
In vitro and in vivo approaches allow study of the mechanisms and biological effects of NM on cells and tissues under controlled conditions
In vivo models include:
Inhalation chambers
Intratracheal instillation
Nose-only inhalation
Pharyngeal aspiration

12. Human Respiratory Tract

13. Proximal Alveolar Region SWCNT Day 3
Silver-enhanced gold-labeled aggregate SWCNT, 40 ug aspiration,
perfusion fixed. Mercer - NIOSH

14. SWCNT Response 7 Days
Pharyngeal aspiration of 40ug SWCNT in C57BL/6 mice
Mercer - NIOSH

15. Translocation/Bioaccumulation of Nanomaterials
Nanoparticles can cross alveolar wall into bloodstream
Absence of alveolar macrophage response
Distribution of NM to other organs and tissues
Inhaled nanoparticles may reach brain through olfactory nerve

16. In Vitro NM Studies
Monteiro-Riviere et al Isolated porcine skin flap model and HEK
MWCNT, substituted fullerenes, and QD can penetrate intact skin
Cytotoxic and inflammatory responses
Tinkle et al Human skin flexion studies and beryllium exposures
Penetration of dermis with 0.5μm an 1μm fluorescent beads

17. In Vitro NM Studies
Fullerenes can interact with cell membranes and specifically with membrane lipids (Isakovic et al. 2006; Sayes et al. 2004; 2005; Kamat et al. 2000).
Interactions can produce lipid peroxidation and leaky cell membranes that result in the release of cellular enzymes.
Proposed mechanism of damage is that fullerenes generate superoxide anions

18. Functionalization of NM
Different chemical groups added to the surface of CNT changed CNT properties and decreased their toxicity (Sayes et al. 2006)
Addition of water-soluble functional groups can decrease the toxicity of pristine C60 (Sayes et al. 2004)
Sayes et al - Human dermal fibroblasts
Sidewalled functionanlized CNT less toxic than surfactant stabilized CNT- H2O solubility was goal
Bottini 2006

19. Ingestion Pathway
Ingestion exposures can occur through direct intake of food or materials containing NM and secondary to inhalation or dermal exposures
Some evidence suggests that ingested NM may pass through to lymphatics
Little research to date about Ingestion exposures and the potential for distribution of NM to other tissues

20. Workplace Studies
Handling Raw SWCNT
From Maynard 2005

21. Workplace Studies
Maynard and coworkers (2004) determined that aerosol concentrations of NM during handling of unrefined NM material were low
More energetic processes likely needed to increase airborne concentrations of NM
Gloves were contaminated with NM
Results indicated importance of dermal contact as potential exposure route

22. Environmental Risk Concerns Regarding NM
What happens to NM after product use and disposal?
What is the fate of NM in the environment?
Do NM degrade?
Will NM accumulate in the food chain?
How to evaluate real world exposures to NM?
Will effects be measurable?

23. NM and Ecotoxicology
Exposures of largemouth bass to fullerenes for 48 hr produced lipid damage in brain tissues (E Oberdorster 2004)
Exposures of Daphnia to uncoated, water soluble fullerenes for 48 hr indicated an LC50 of 800 ppb
(E Oberdorster 2004)
Largemouth bass
Daphnia –water flea

24. Federal Agency Positions on NM
Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research: Filling the Knowledge Gaps
Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: An Information Exchange with NIOSH
Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL)
Control banding approaches

25. Federal Agency Positions on NM
EPA
Toxic Substances Control Act
Framework to oversee the manufacture and risk assessment of new materials
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Nanotechnology White Paper
Draft released December 2005
Nanoscale Materials Voluntary Program
The web-based Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL) helps occupational health professionals, industrial users, worker groups, and researchers organize and share information on nanomaterials, including their health and safety-associated properties

26. Federal Agency Positions on NM
Food and Drug Administration
Food Drug and Cosmetic Act 1938
Public Meeting, October 10, 2006
OSHA
Plans to develop guidance for employers and employees engaged in operations involving nanomaterials
The web-based Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL) helps occupational health professionals, industrial users, worker groups, and researchers organize and share information on nanomaterials, including their health and safety-associated properties

27. Assessing Risks of Nanomaterials
Identify and characterize potential NM hazards
Assess potential exposure scenarios
Evaluate toxicity
Characterize risk and uncertainty
Communicate about risks

28. Cadmus Adaptive Risk Assessment Framework for NM
RAW
MATERIALS
Process
USE/End of Use
PRODUCT
Packaging
IDENTIFY AND
CHARACTERIZE
HAZARDS
EVALUATE
TOXICITY
ASSESS
EXPOSURE
CHARACTERIZE RISK
MITIGATION MEASURES

29. Cadmus Adaptive Risk Assessment Framework for NM
Screening tool to identify and prioritize key health and process issues
Dynamic approach that can be applied to a diverse array of hazards
Identifies key uncertainties
Adaptive aspect allows reevaluation of previous decisions when new information is available
Direct application to health and safety concerns
First, this adaptive feature allows for initial screening evaluations to make preliminary decisions regarding the use of nanomaterials. As new information becomes available, decision-making regarding health and safety recommendations can be revised and refined. Second, the framework focuses on the potential for exposure so that decisions about risks can be informed in the absence of a comprehensive toxicological evaluation. Finally, because the framework can be applied during early stages of development, it can provide a low cost method to identify and address potential concerns about health, safety and environmental risks for smaller companies that are developing their processes. The framework steps through the life cycle of a nanomaterial. Initially, the potential hazards are identified at each step. For steps where there are hazards, the potential for exposure is identified. The approach integrates evaluation of current toxicological information for the different types of nanomaterials, an understanding of the potential exposure scenarios, and application of risk assessment tools to evaluate and rank the potential health risks. The information derived from this approach provides the basis for recommendations for appropriate environmental, health and safety practices for work with nanomaterials.

30. Nanotechnology Where Are We Today?
Limited number of NM have been evaluated to date
Mechanisms for potential NM toxicity are an active area of research
Specific NM properties, particularly their surface characteristics, clearly affect their toxicity
No specific regulations – yet!

31. Nanotechnology Where Are We Going?
Source: Boston Globe October 7, 2006

32. Panel Discussion Moderator: Jo Anne Shatkin, Ph. D
Panel Discussion Moderator: Jo Anne Shatkin, Ph.D. Principal, Cadmus Group
Kendall Marra, MassDEP Division of Policy and Program Development
Michael J. Ellenbecker, Sc.D., Professor
University of Massachusetts
Carl R. Elder, Ph.D., P.E.,Senior Enegineer,
GeoSyntec Consultants