1. Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety
Dr Howard Morris
Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Manager
Safe Work Australia
11 May 2011
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2. 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
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3. 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)
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program – Published reports
Plus: Work health and safety assessment tool
for handling engineered nanomaterials
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9. 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
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10. Effectiveness of workplace controls Modification of fullerenes
C. Sayes et al. (2004) Nano Letters 4(10):
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11. Effectiveness of workplace controls Process enclosure
Reduction in exposure through process enclosure (Han et al)
Number of CNTs/cm3
Before process enclosure
After process enclosure
Personal
193.6
0.018
Area
172.9
0.05
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)
Use of PPE when working
in fume cabinet with
engineered nanomaterials
CSIRO, 2009
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12. Filtration efficiency for
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)
Reference
Filter material type
& certification
Filtration efficiency for
particles <100 nm
Martin & Moyer (2000)
N95,
<5% penetration
Richardson et al. (2005)
<5% for low flow rate
Max >5%, high flow rate
P100,
<0.03% penetration
<0.03% for low flow rate
Max >0.03%, high flow rate
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13. Nanotechnology Work Health & Safety Program – Current research projects
Commissioned Project
Organisation
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) hazards
Assessment of measurement techniques for different types of engineered nanomaterials & measurement of exposures in workplace settings
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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 Group
Focus
Convenor 1
Terminology & Nomenclature
Canada 2
Measurement & Characterisation
Japan 3
Health, Safety & Environment
USA 4
Materials Specification
China
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17. ISO Definitions – ISO/TS 80004-1
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
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18. ISO TC229 - Health, Safety & Environment
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19. OECD WPMN - Exposure measurement & mitigation of manufactured nanomaterials
Project Topic
Status
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
Comparison of guidelines relating to exposure to nanomaterials in laboratories.
Evaluate data and provide recommendation on measurement technologies and sampling protocols for determining concentrations of manufactured nanomaterials in air
Current
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20. 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)
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21. 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
ISO TC229 WG3, May 2011

22. 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
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23. 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
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24. National Exposure Standard
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/m3
Fumed silica
2mg/m3
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25. 2011 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
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26. 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
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27. Further Information My contact details Phone: 02 6121 9127
Website:
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