NANO-SAFETY
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RECENT EVENTS: 27 May 2010 -- At a "Understanding Nanotechnology Safety" Webinar sponsored by PennWell Corporation, Dr. Trybula was one of five presenters addressing key issues.

This special 2 hour seminar was designed to educate on the real dangers of nanotechnology, provided insight into nanotoxicity and nanopathology, and provided a strategy on how to protect workers from potentially harmful materials. Downloads of webinar presentations are available from PennWell.

RECENT NEWS: 19 May 2010 -- Dr. Trybula presented "Safely Handling Nanomaterials" at the
San Francisco Bay Area Nanotechnology Council Sixth Annual Symposium.

Dr. Trybula indicated that nanomaterials are "interesting" in that they appear to behave differently from their bulk counterparts. Consequently, traditional methods for the proper storage and usage of these materials in their "nano" form might require different methods of handling. Several examples of "different" properties were employed to demonstrate these unusual unexpected effects.

Based on the challenges in attempting to determine the potential behavior of these materials, several steps can be taken to provide a guideline for establishing precautions to safely handle nanomaterials. This is stated with the understanding that future research may change the guidelines for specific materials. However, there are procedures that can be implemented to provide protection for both people and the environment. The presentation is available from the sidebar.

RECENT NEWS: 03 May 2010 -- Drs. Fazarro and Trybula provide overview on educational needs for nanotechnology workers.

In a presentation titled: "The Evolution of Nanotechnology Education: Lateral Diffusion for the 21st Century Workforce", Drs. Fazarro and Trybula described the educational challenges to address the developing nanotechnology workforce to a very attentative audience at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals annual conference. The overview of these developing challenges (available to download from the sidebar) describe some of the issues in developing a workforce as the technology is evolving. The challenge of developing the workforce of the near future requires collaboration among agancies, educators, and industry.

2009 KEY HEADLINE: 19 August 2009 -- DEATHS IN CHINA LINKED TO NANOPARTICLES

Reuters News Service reported that seven women workers became ill and two later died after working with paint with nanoparticles while having insuffieicnt protection from the material. The articles can be found at http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE57I1Y720090819?sp=true

Released August 20, Nanotechnology & Development News contained a reference to an article titled "Nanoparticle safety in doubt" issued by the NatureNews, contained a commentary by Ken Donaldson, a respiratory toxicologist at the University of Edinburgh, UK, in which he indicates that the symptoms are more typical of that caused by chemical exposure.

August 31 update - The interest and comments on this sad story have disappeared from the front page news. However, the need to address the issues remain. There is some additional information that is available. The radio program, The Promise of Tomorrow with Colonel Mason, which addresses issues in emerging science and nanotechnology, broadcast Sunday night, August 30, 2009, had commentary by Dr. Kristen Kulinowski of ICON at Rice University on the issues. The program scheuled for Sunday, September 6, 2009, will include additional commentary on the issues of worker safety by both Dr. Kulinowski and Dr. Walt Trybula.

Dr. Kulinowski has a blog available at the ICON web site that provides some very interesting thoughts on the issue and other things that need to be addressed to keep people and the environment safe.

Comments on BREAKING STORY

This unfortunate incident might have been at least mitigated with proper equipment and training. Without details of the material composition, it is conjecture on how the materials were transported into the workers. The focus on the NANO-SAFETY effort is to provide information and training to ensure that workers and managers are able to understand the potential issues.

[20 August update] As more information is obtained, there is some skepticism that the nanomaterials were the cause. There is no question that nanomaterials were found, but the questions surrounding the delivery materials indicate that they might have been the culprit. Further investigation is needed. But, this incident demonstrates the need for the NANO-SAFETY effort.

A key problem is that many managers do not understand the issues with using nanomaterials. A manager will look to other industries to guidance on how to protect his/her workers. Many people are aware that semiconductor industry requires facial protection for their workers and try to emulate it. However, this "filtering" property is good for particles that are 0.3 micromenters or larger. That is 300 nanometers. Trying to emulate the semiconductor industry, which does not need the smaller filter due to most processes being contained in equipment, is as effective as opening an unscreened window and putting a yardstick (meterstick) in the window to keep out all the insects and bugs. It will not work!

EDUCATION and TRAINING are required.

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MISSION: Promote an understanding of NANO-SAFETY

Background

Nanotechnology is promoted as the next great thing - whatever "thing" is. There are many promising developments in nanotechnology that can provide for improved quality of life for many people. As with any emerging technology, we may not understand the consequences of its application. Consequently, we must be pro-active and address the areas of potential consequences.

One area of particular interest, NANO-SAFETY, must be addressed in a systematic manner to ensure that the key elements are investigated and methodologies developed to provide safety for people and the environment.

Safety

Safety is paramount in the workplace and the environment; AND, is especially important for developments in nanotechnology, in which case material characteristics may be completely unknown. NANO-SAFETY requires many things: knowledge of effects, understanding of particle behavior, toxic effects depending on the application, residual impact on the environment, etc. The areas of understanding can be characterized in a number of categories, which include: 1) Material Properties; 2) Impact on People and the Environment; 3) Handling of Nanomaterials; and 4) Business Focus.

As part of an overall effort to address the concept of NANO-SAFETY, efforts are underway to develop alliances to investigate issues and provide direction for the solution to potential problems that are uncovered. Each of the categories indicated above are a major effort. As items and information are developed, links will be provided to assist others in the development of a greater understanding of the issues and solutions. A White Paper on NANO-SAFETY, which covers elements of concern, is available at http://www.tryb.org/a_white_paper_on_nano-safety.pdf.

Acknowledgements

Material on this site may be employed for furthering the issues of NANO-SAFETY as long as proper credit is given as to the source of the material. This effort includes a number of organizations, with the focal point being the Nanomaterials Application Center at Texas State University-San Marcos. Also, appreciation is expressed to the Trybula Foundation for providing support for the web site.

Comments

NANO-SAFETY should always be capitalized because there is nothing small with respect to safety efforts in nanotechnology.