Nanoscale applications are rapidly moving from the research lab to industrial and commercial settings. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), examples of workplaces that may use nanoscale materials (nanomaterials) include chemical or pharmaceutical laboratories or plants, manufacturing facilities, medical offices or hospitals, and construction sites. Today we will explore nanomaterials hazards and ways to determine if your workplace has nanomaterials. Tomorrow we will offer steps to protect workers who handle nanomaterials.
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What are nanoscale materials?
Nanomaterials are chemical substances that have structures with dimensions at the nanoscale level—approximately 1–100 nanometers. To get an idea of their size, a human hair is approximately 80,000–100,000 nanometers wide.
Nanoscale materials have a range of potentially beneficial public and commercial applications. For example, they could improve products such as anticancer therapies, TVs, vehicles, batteries, and solar panels.
However, the special properties that make nanoscale materials of potentially great benefit can also present new challenges for risk assessment and decision making. Their small size may allow them to pass through cell membranes or the blood-brain barrier, possibly resulting in unintended effects.
Health effects of nanomaterials
The health hazard potential of nanomaterials depends on the particular nanomaterial and a person’s exposure level. Examples of health hazards of certain nanomaterials include:
- Some inhaled nanoparticles may be deposited in the respiratory tract and may cause inflammation and damage to lung cells and tissues; e.g., carbon nanotubes and nanofibers may be capable of causing pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2), which has many commercial applications (e.g., paint, paper, cosmetics, food), can be produced in nanoscale particle sizes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) claims that nanoscale TiO2 particles have higher mass-based potency than larger particles, and that occupational exposure to nanoscale TiO2 particles should be considered a potential occupational carcinogen.
- Certain nanoparticles may penetrate cell membranes and may cause damage to intracellular structures and cellular functions.
- Some nanomaterials may act as chemical catalysts and produce unanticipated reactions, creating a risk of explosions and fires.
- Some types of nanoparticle dusts may be combustible and require less energy to ignite than larger dust particles, creating a risk of explosions and fires.
Nanomaterials in the workplace
If you do not currently handle nanomaterials in your workplace, you may soon be.
And, even if you do not manufacture products that contain nanomaterials, it is very likely that you do, or soon will be, handling products that contain nanomaterials. These materials are currently used in hundreds of consumer products, including electronics, cosmetics, clothing, food, and medicines.
According to the National Science Foundation, by 2018, nanotechnology, products, and materials will have a $4.4 trillion impact on the global economy.
As an EHS professional, especially if you are a safety manager, it is important to stay up to date on the research exploring the health effects of nanomaterials on workers. Potential hazards of nanoparticles include inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion. The small particles could be asbestos-like, depending on the material, when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Are nanomaterials in your workplace?
Are nanomaterials even on your radar? If not, they should be. Nanotechnology is advancing so rapidly that nanomaterials may already be in your workplace.
The best way to determine if nanoscale materials are in your workplace is to check with manufacturers of chemicals and materials that you use. It is most important to determine if unbound engineered nanomaterials are present. The potential for nanomaterials to pose health or safety hazards is greater if the nanomaterials are easily dispersed (such as in powders, sprays, or droplets) or are not isolated or contained.
Note. Engineered nanomaterials are materials created by manipulation of matter at the nanoscale level to produce new materials, structures, and devices. Unbound engineered nanoparticles are loose particles, particularly, that are easily dispersible in the air. They can also be in liquid suspensions that can get into the air as mists or dried suspensions that leave unbound particles on surfaces.
You can also check the Nanowerk Nanomaterial Database™ for nanomaterials suppliers and products.
If you know or even think that there are nanomaterials in your workplace, check tomorrow’s Advisor for some steps to help protect your workers from the hazards of nanomaterials.