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Introduction to

Nanotechnology
Michael Krause, MSPH, ROH, CIH
mkrause@veritox.com

What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the art and
science of manipulating matter at
the nanoscale (down to 1/100,000
the width of a human hair) to create
new and unique materials and
products...with enormous potential
to change society.(1)
1 nanometer (nm) = 1 billionth of a
meter

Nanotechnology Industry
Intense international competition to
develop and commercialize
nanoproducts
Government funding

Horse is out of the barn-health and


enviro information lagging

Nanoparticles International
Standards Organization (ISO)
Particle with a nominal diameter
(such as geometric, aerodynamic,
mobility, projected-area or
otherwise) of 100 nanometers or
less.(2)
Ultrafine particles defined the same

Table Salt (300,000 nm), Human


Hair (100,000 nm)
(www.semguy.com)

Carbon Fibers (3,000 nm


diameter)
(cobweb.ecn.purdue.edu)

Red Blood Cell (3,000 nm)


(www.pbrc.hawaii.edu)

Hemoglobin Molecule (5 nm)


(http://fig.cox.miami.edu)

Manufactured Carbon Forms


Also Found in Smoke

Buckeyball of
carbon atoms
(www.udel.edu)

Carbon
nanotubes
(www.udel.edu)

Vertically Aligned Carbon


Nanotubes, 50 nm diameter
Similar to asbestos fibrils?
(www.Xintec.com)

Buckyballs (1 nm)
(www.stanford.edu)

Nanoparticles FUN PDC 2006


Expensive instruments are
available to monitor factory air but
there is background from vehicles
and heating systems
Respirator filters work

Nanoparticles

(PDC 418, June 3, 2007)

Ubiquitous in nature (smoke, dust)


Human exposure and
accomodation nothing new
We cannot assume that
nanomaterials are the same as their
bulk counterpart...but also cannot
assume that they are more toxic.
Every particle should be tested on a
case-by-case basis.

Nanomaterials Why?
Tiny size
Incredible surface area per unit
mass
Light weight
Strong

Boeing 787 50% Composite

Commercial Products
Nanotech Project: Searchable
Inventory (1)
500 Products
30% cosmetics
Antibacterial or stain resistant fabric,
bats, golf clubs, socks, paint, tires

Marketing nano as good


iPod Nano

BMC: Lighter and Stiffer


Frames with Eastom
Nanotube Technology
(www.bmc-racing.com)

Samsung Silver Nano


Washers
Nano Technologywhen
converted to such a level a
material may take on new
properties and functionsSilver
Nano ions easily penetrate cells
of microorganismssterilize over
650 types of bacteria and serve a
better world up to you in style.
(www.samsung.com)

EPA Response
The EPA informed Samsung that
the silver ion generating washing
machine is subject to registration
under FIFRA as a pesticide.
It does not represent an action to
regulate nanotechnologywe
have not yet received any
information that suggests that this
product involves the use of
nanomaterial. (www.epa.gov, 12/6/06)

Forbes Top 10 Nanoproducts of


2005

Embracing the technology:


Harnesses the dramatic anti-oxidant
power of Fullerene C60, preventing
environmental damage to the skins
DNA (zelens.com)

Forbes #10 IAQ miracle?


NanoBreeze Air
Purifier. A UV tube is
wrapped in fiberglass
coated by a layer of
titanium dioxide
crystals at 40
nanometers diameter.
The tube charges the
crystals to create
powerful oxidizing
agents that destroy
airborne germs and
pollutants over the
tube's surface.

Sigma Aldrich Functionalized


Nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles, 2.5%


(w/v) in DMF
Average size = 15 nm

Gold nanoparticles
2%(w/v) in toluene
Average size = 3 nm

Future Applications
Electronics
Coatings
Fuel Cells
Water filters
Composites
Drugs
Cancer Detection & Treatment

Issues - ISO Technical Report


2007 (2)
Lack of current guidelines and
standards
ISO, ANSI, ASTM, AIHA Task
Forces

Issues ISO Technical Report


2007 (2)

Increasing concern over the


potential health risks

Public Risk Perception-Baseline


Cultural Cognition Project, Yale Law School (4)

Nanotech knowledge?
81% knew nothing to a little

Benefits outweigh Risks?


53% average
White males 61%
Women 47%
Blacks 36%
Low knowledge 47%, High 83%

2005 Protest Against Eddie


Bauer NanoTex Pants
- Not Much Traction
(www.treehugger.com)

Environmental Fate: Buckyball


Release Harms Soil Bacteria?
2005: Aggregates form and inhibit
growth in culture in vivo (5)
2007: Buckyballs (fullerenes)
studied in actual soil had little
impact on the structure and function
of the soil microbial community. (6)

Black Eye - 2006 Magic


Nano Case in Germany
Bathroom aerosol spray caused
pulmonary edema in 80 users
No nanomaterials in the product (7)
Reportedly no problems from pump
spray version
Investigated by the Federal Institute
for Risk Assessment (8)

Public Risk Perception (4)


In December 2006, Berkeley,
California became the first
governmental entity in the United
States to regulate nanotechnology.
Facilities that manufacture or use
nanoparticles must now file reports
disclosing how (they) will safely
handle, monitor, contain, dispose,
track inventory, (and) prevent
releases of these materials (Berkeley
Municipal Code 15.12.040)

Issues ISO Technical Report


2007 (2)

Need for valid monitoring methods


Mass, surface area, and/or
number?

Sampling & Analysis-ISO


Mass
Probably not
Low mass of nanoparticles
Interference from other particles

Sampling & Analysis-ISO


Surface Area
There is strong toxicity-based
evidence that aerosol surface area
is an appropriate metric for low
solubility particles. (2)

TSI Surface Area Monitor


(www.tsi.com)

Sampling & Analysis-ISO


Size-selective particle counts
However, there are also
indications that in some instances
particle number within specific
particle size ranges may be
important. (2)

GRIMM Particle Sizer and


Counter (5 nm +)
(www.dustmonitor.com)

Particle Number Precedents


Old dust standards in millions of
particles per cubic foot of air
(mppcf)
Asbestos - OSHA standard of
100,000 fibers per cubic meter of
air

Sampling & Analysis UK


2006 Research Report
The air in any working
environment, including those
entirely dedicated to
nanotechnology, will almost
certainly contain a cocktail of
particles from processes,
combustion, and exhaust (9)

Sampling & Analysis - UK


Conclusions: Because of the lack
of consistent relationships found in
this study between measurements
of mass, number, and surface area,
we should continue to measure all
three parameters despite the
difficulty in arranging this in the
workplace. (9)

References
(1) Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars (www.nanotechproject.org)
(2) Workplace Atmospheres-Ultrafine, nanoparticle and nanostructured aerosols-Inhalation exposure characterization and
assessment, International Organization for Standardization,
Technical Report, ISO/TR 27628, 2007 ($107 at ANSI eStore at
http://webstore.ansi.org)
(3) The Evolution of the US Nanotechnology Enterprise, Philip
Shapiro, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006,
www.nanodistrict.org
(4) Nanotechnology Risk Perceptions: The Influence of Affect
and Values, Cultural Cognition Project at Yale Law School
(research.yale.edu/cultural cognition or
www.nanotechproject.org)
(5) Buckyballs Batter Bacteria, Science News, May 4, 2005
(http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthagw/2005/may/science/rp_nanocrystals.html)
(6) Tong Z, et al, Impact of Fullerene (C60) on a Soil Microbial
Community, Environmental Science and Technology, April 15,
2007

References
(7) Study Shows no Nano in Magic Nano, the German Product
Recalled for Causing Breathing Problems, Small Times online
(www.smalltimes.com/Articles)
(8) Cause of Intoxications with Nano Spray not yet fully
Elucidated, BfR online
(www.bfr.bund.de/cms5w/sixcms/detail.php/7750)
(9) The Assessment of Different Metrics of the Concentration of
Nano (Ultrafine) Particles in Existing and New Industries, UK
Health and Safety Executive, 2006
(www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr513.pdf)

Reading List (Free)


Myths and realities of nanotech (BBC)
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3920685.stm)
BigPicture on nanoscience, Wellcome Trust, 2005
(www.wellcome.ac.uk/assets/wtd015798.pdf)
Woodrow Wilson Center Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
Publications (www.nanotechproject.org/reports)
Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory
(www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?id=44&action=intro)
U.S. Nanotechnology Initiative
Nanotechnology: Health and Environmental Risks of Nanoparticles,
Germany, August 2006
(www.bfr.bund.de/cm/220/Nanotechnology_health_and_environmental_
risks_of_nanoparticles_research_strategy.pdf)
Health Impacts of Ultrafine Particles, Department of the Environment
and Heritage, Australian Government, 2004
(www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/healthimpacts/index.html)
Nanotechnology-Small Matter, Many Unknowns, Swiss Re, 2004
(www.swissre.com)

Reading List (Free)


Nanotechnologys Invisible Threat, National Resources Defense
Council, 2007 (www.nrdc.org/health/science/nano/nano.pdf)
Nanotechnology: Small Science, Big Consequences
(www.nrdc.org/health/science/nano/contents.asp)
The Assessment of Different Metrics of the Concentration of Nano
(Ultrafine) Particles in Existing and New Industries, UK Health and
Safety Executive, 2006 (www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr513.pdf)
Environmentally Beneficial Nanotechnologies, Oakdene Hollins, 2007
(www.defra.gov.uk/environment/nanotech/policy/pdf/envbeneficialreport.pdf)
The Precautionary Principle, World Commission on the Ethics of
Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), March 2005
(http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001395/139578e.pdf)
Nanotechnology White Paper, US EPA, 2005
(www.epa.gov/osa/nanotech.htm)
NIOSH Nanotechnology Topic Page
(www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/default.html)

Reading List (Free)


FDA Nanotechnology Task Force, US Food and Drug Administration,
2006 (www.fda.gov/nanotechnology)
National Nanotechnology Initiative (www.nano.gov)
International Council of Nanotechnology (http://icon.rice.edu)
Discussion Paper on a Policy Framework for Nanotechnology
(www.cielap.org/pdf/NanoFramework.pdf)
Small Times Magazine (www.smalltimes.com)
www.azonano.com
www.nsti.org
http://nano.cancer.gov
www.nanotechwire.com
NPR report on nano-cosmetics 2007 (www.nanotechproject.org/55)
Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, Council for Science and
Technology, UK, March 2007 (www.cst.gov.uk)
ASTM Terminology for Nanotechnology
(www.astm.org/SUBSCRIPTION/DOWNLOAD/E2456.20492-1.pdf)

Thank you
Enjoy the Session
Michael Krause, MSPH, ROH, CIH
mkrause@veritox.com

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