Occupational Risk Management of Engineered Nanoparticles

Abstract

The earliest and most extensive societal exposures to engineered nanoparticles are likely to occur in the workplace. Until toxicologic and health effects research moves forward to characterize more broadly the potential hazards of nanoparticles and to provide a scientific basis for appropriate control of nanomaterials in the workplace, current and future workers may be at risk from occupational exposures. This article reviews a conceptual framework for occupational risk management as applied to engineered nanomaterials and describes an associated approach for controlling exposures in the presence of uncertainty. The framework takes into account the potential routes of exposure and factors that may influence biological activity and potential toxicity of nanomaterials; incorporates primary approaches based on the traditional industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls involving elimination or substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and use of personal protective equipment; and includes valuable secondary approaches involving health surveillance and medical monitoring.

Keywords:

• controls
• nanotechnology
• particles
• risk assessment
• risk management

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank the following individuals for the comments on earlier drafts: Vladimir Murashov, Vincent Castranova, Larry Gibbs, Ainsley Weston, Christine Northage, and Paul Evans.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.