Nanotechnology Safety Resources

INTRODUCTION

The emerging field of nanotechnology has created an intense interest in the health risks associated with working with matter on an ultra-small scale. One nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. These materials present new challenges in understanding, predicting, and managing potential health risks. Exposure to these materials during manufacturing and use may occur through inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion. Studies have indicated that low-solubility ultrafine particles are more toxic than larger particles on a mass for mass basis. Because of their tiny size, they can get deep into the lungs and, once in the bloodstream, may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Other hazards to consider are catalytic effects and fire or explosion. Because of the limited information on the risks of handling these materials, workers should implement stringent controls on exposure when working with them. Until more knowledge becomes available, CCS is, for now, providing the following guidelines and references for more information.

LAB SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING NANOMATERIALS
(Provided by and with permission of Dr. Peter Lichty of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

1. Use good general laboratory safety practices as found in your chemical hygiene plan. Wear gloves, lab coats, safety glasses, face shields, closed-toed shoes as needed.
2. Be sure to consider the hazards of precursor materials in evaluating process hazards.
3. Avoid skin contact with nanoparticles or nanoparticle-containing solutions by using appropriate personal protective equipment. Do not handle nanoparticles with your bare skin.
4. If it is necessary to handle nanoparticle powders outside of a HEPA-filtered powered-exhaust laminar flow hood, wear appropriate respiratory protection. The appropriate respirator should be selected based on professional consultation.
5. Use fume exhaust hoods to expel fumes from tube furnaces or chemical reaction vessels.
6. Dispose of and transport waste nanoparticles according to hazardous chemical waste guidelines.
7. Vacuum cleaners used to clean up nanoparticles should be tested, HEPA-filtered units.
8. Equipment previously used to manufacture or handle nanoparticles should be evaluated for potential contamination prior to disposal or reuse for another purpose.
9. Lab equipment and exhaust systems should also be evaluated prior to removal, remodeling, or repair.
10. Given the differing synthetic methods and experimental goals, no blanket recommendation can be made regarding aerosol emissions controls. This should be evaluated on a case by case basis.
11. Consideration should be given to the high reactivity of some nanopowders materials with regard to potential fire and explosion hazards.

REFERENCES

For a primary site, check out:

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Other helpful sites include:

• ACS Chemical & Engineering News Nanotechnology website
• ACS Chemical & Engineering News Article: Nano Database Goes Online
• American National Standard’s Nanotechnology Standards Panel
• Center for Responsible Nanotechnology
• Hazards magazine
• The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering
• National Nanotechnology Initiative Environment and Health Safety Research
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
• Nanotechnology: A Progress Report on Understanding Occupational Safety and Health Issues, Woodrow Wilson Center
• Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace: A Report from the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center