NANO-SAFETY
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BREAKING STORY: 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.