1 Hazmat 2011 Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Dr Howard Morris Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Manager Safe Work Australia 11 May 2011

2 Hazmat 2011 Presentation Structure Application of Work Health & Safety Regulatory Framework to nanotechnologies & nanomaterials Issues that impact on nanotechnology work health & safety management & regulation Work to address issues – Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program Current & future focus

3 Hazmat 2011 Engineered Nanomaterials: Advances in understanding Hazards –limited understanding, but growing –no novel toxicities, but generally more toxic than macrosize (Toxikos, 2009) –range of hazard severities Potential exposure –application/process dependent –higher for free nanomaterials Effectiveness of conventional controls –can effectively reduce exposures to nanomaterials (RMIT University 2009) Measurement of emissions & exposures –use combination of techniques (OECD WPMN 2009)

4 Hazmat 2011 Application of work health and safety regulatory framework to nanotechnologies Obligations under work health and safety legislation need to be met for nanomaterials and nanotechnologies –work health and safety regulations generally –regulations for hazardous chemicals Issues are being addressed to ensure effective regulation of engineered nanomaterials –Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program

5 Hazmat 2011 Application of precautionary approach to nanotechnologies Where understanding of hazards is limited, Safe Work Australia is advocating a precautionary approach be taken to controlling exposures to engineered nanomaterials Advice to Australian nanotechnology organisations is: –to use the best practicable means of preventing or minimising workplace exposures to engineered nanomaterials Developing guidance on how to do this

6 Hazmat 2011 Safe Work Australia’s Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program Supported by funding under National Enabling Technologies Strategy Focus areas –Nanotechnologies & Work Health & Safety Regulatory Framework –Understanding hazardous properties of engineered nanomaterials –Evaluating effectiveness of workplace controls –Emissions and exposure measurement capability –Information & guidance for Australian nanotechnology organisations –Participating in international initiatives & ensuring consistency with international approaches

7 Hazmat 2011 Safe Work Australia’s national stakeholder groups Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Advisory Group –promoting a coordinated national approach to the management of nanotechnology work health & safety issues Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Measurement Reference Group –developing nanomaterial exposure and emissions measurement capability

8 Hazmat 2011 Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program – Published reports Plus: Work health and safety assessment tool for handling engineered nanomaterials

9 Hazmat 2011 Designing workplace controls As for other chemicals, Apply the hierarchy of controls –aim to use approaches as high as possible in the hierarchy –in practice a combination of approaches will work best Elimination Substitution/ modification Process enclosure Local exhaust ventilation Administrative approaches Personal Protective Equipment

10 Hazmat 2011 Effectiveness of workplace controls Modification of fullerenes C. Sayes et al. (2004) Nano Letters 4(10):

11 Hazmat 2011 Effectiveness of workplace controls Process enclosure Can significantly reduce emissions from nanomaterial processes Blending with carbon nanotubes for composites, Han et al, Inhalation Toxicology, (2008) Can be used in combination with other control measures Engineered nanomaterials: Effectiveness of workplace controls N. Jackson et al, RMIT University (2009) Number of CNTs/cm 3 Before process enclosure After process enclosure Personal Area Use of PPE when working in fume cabinet with engineered nanomaterials CSIRO, 2009 Reduction in exposure through process enclosure (Han et al)

12 Hazmat 2011 Effectiveness of workplace controls Can filter materials capture nanoparticles? YES –MPPS around 300nm for HEPA filters –Capture mechanism depends on particle diameter Nanosafe2, 2008 Capture efficiency depends on: –Flow rate –Type of filter material Engineered nanomaterials: Effectiveness of workplace controls N. Jackson et al, RMIT University (2009) ReferenceFilter material type & certification Filtration efficiency for particles <100 nm Martin & Moyer (2000) N95, <5% penetration Richardson et al. (2005) N95, <5% penetration <5% for low flow rate Max >5%, high flow rate Richardson et al. (2005) P100, <0.03% penetration <0.03% for low flow rate Max >0.03%, high flow rate

13 Hazmat 2011 Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program – Current research projects Commissioned ProjectOrganisation Experimental research into durability of carbon nanotubes and their potential to cause inflammation CSIRO/UK IOM/ Edinburgh University Examination of laser printer emissions Examination of health risk from laser printer emissions Queensland University of Technology/WHSQ Toxikos Review of physicochemical (safety) hazardsToxikos Assessment of measurement techniques for different types of engineered nanomaterials & measurement of exposures in workplace settings Queensland University of Technology/WHSQ

14 Hazmat 2011 Safe Work Australia’s participation in national nanotechnology forums Forums convened by DIISR under National Enabling Technologies Strategy (NETS) –Health, Safety & Environment Working Group –Communications Group Standards Australia Nanotechnology Committee (NT-001) –Chair –Health, Safety & Environment sub-committee

15 Hazmat 2011 Safe Work Australia’s participation in international forums UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS ISO Nanotechnology Technical Committee OECD WPMN SG8 – Nanomaterial Exposure Measurement & Mitigation Liaison with international partners

16 Hazmat ISO’s Nanotechnology Technical Committee (TC229) 36 Participating members & 8 Observer members Australian input –through Standards Australia Nanotechnology Committee (NT-001) –support through DIISR Working GroupFocusConvenor 1Terminology & Nomenclature Canada 2Measurement & Characterisation Japan 3Health, Safety & Environment USA 4Materials SpecificationChina

17 Hazmat ISO Definitions – ISO/TS Nanoscale The size range from approximately 1 nm to 100 nm Nanomaterial Material with any external dimension in the nanoscale or having internal structure or surface structure in the nanoscale Engineered Nanomaterial Nanomaterial designed for specific purpose or function Manufactured Nanomaterial Nanomaterial intentionally produced for commercial purpose to have specific properties or specific composition

18 Hazmat ISO TC229 - Health, Safety & Environment FOCUS AREAS Controlling Occupational Exposures Toxicological screening Determining relative toxicity & hazard potential Environmentally sound use of nanomaterials Safety of nanomaterial products Supporting OECD WPMN

19 Hazmat OECD WPMN - Exposure measurement & mitigation of manufactured nanomaterials Project TopicStatus Emission assessment for identification of sources and release of airborne manufactured nanomaterials in the workplace: Compilation of existing guidance. ENV/JM/MONO(2009)16 Published Comparison of guidance on selection of PPE for use in the workplace Published Comparison of guidelines relating to exposure to nanomaterials in laboratories. Published Evaluate data and provide recommendation on measurement technologies and sampling protocols for determining concentrations of manufactured nanomaterials in air Current

20 Hazmat 2011 Addressing carbon nanotubes issues Understanding hazards –Review of nanomaterials health hazards (Toxikos) –Durability of carbon nanotubes and their potential to cause inflammation (CSIRO/IOM/Edinburgh University) Regulation –Health hazard assessment for classification (NICNAS) Measurement of carbon nanotubes emissions/exposures –Detection in the workplace (CSIRO) –Determining/validating suitable techniques (QUT/WHSQ) Developing guidance –Guide for safe handling & disposal of carbon nanotubes (CSIRO)

21 ISO TC229 WG3, May 2011 Durability of carbon nanotubes and their potential to cause inflammation (CSIRO/IOM/Edinburgh University) Key findings in the report include: –Carbon nanotubes can be durable but may also break down in simulated lung fluid, depending on the type of sample –If they are fibre-like and sufficiently long, carbon nanotubes can induce asbestos-like responses in the peritoneal cavity of mice, but this response is significantly reduced if the nanotubes are less durable –Tightly agglomerated particle-like bundles of carbon nanotubes did not cause an inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity of mice Shorter carbon nanotubes or bundles of carbon nanotubes can still be hazardous in the lungs All forms of carbon nanotubes should be handled with a high level of caution in the workplace

22 Hazmat 2011 National Codes of Practice for Safety Data Sheets and Workplace Labelling SDS and Labels must be provided if chemical classified as hazardous Many engineered nanomaterials are not currently classified as hazardous Issues with SDS for nanomaterials (Toxikos 2010) Safe Work Australia –supports precautionary approach to handling nanomaterials –recommends SDS/label provided for engineered or manufactured nanomaterials unless evidence they are not hazardous –proposes additional non-mandatory parameters in SDS Heading 9, on Physical and Chemical Properties

23 Hazmat 2011 International engagement on Safety Data Sheets ISO project on Preparation of safety data sheets for manufactured nanomaterials –Australia contributing to project Australian proposal reported to UN Sub- Committee of Experts on the GHS –Papers to December 2009 & 2010 meetings

24 Hazmat 2011 A Precautionary Approach to Control – Possible approach to developing guidance Define aim maximum airborne concentration levels –Benchmark Exposure Levels (BELs) –For groups of nanomaterials –Precautionary & pragmatic Basis of measurement –OECD Emission Assessment Guidance? Being validated Determine workplace controls needed to achieve BELs –For different nanomaterial groups –Various processes Nanoscale Material National Exposure Standard (TWA) Carbon black 3mg/m 3 Fumed silica 2mg/m 3

25 Hazmat Planned Projects Main Focus - Guidance & Training General guide on safe handling & disposal of nanomaterials Training course on safe handling & disposal of nanomaterials Develop guidance on nanotechnologies & regulatory framework Update to review of toxicology & health hazards Examining potential release of nanomaterials from articles during cutting/machining

26 Hazmat 2011 Obligations under work health and safety legislation need to be met for nanomaterials and nanotechnologies Issues are being addressed to help ensure the effective regulation and management of engineered nanomaterials through the Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program

27 Hazmat 2011 Further Information My contact details Phone: Website: