September 29, 2006—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has updated its online information concerning the safety of those working with nanomaterials, and NIOSH research on work-related lung disease.
NIOSH’s safety and health topic page “Nanotechnology” features NIOSH’s research and guidance on the occupational safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology. It explores how workers might be exposed to nano-sized particles in the manufacturing or industrial use of nanomaterials; how nanoparticles interact with the body’s systems; and what effects nanoparticles might have on the body’s systems.
Within the Nanotechnology site, the page “Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: An Information Exchange with NIOSH” has also been updated.
This document reviews what is currently known about nanoparticle toxicity and control. It also serves as a request from NIOSH to occupational safety and health practitioners, researchers, product innovators and manufacturers, employers, workers, interest group members, and the general public to exchange information to ensure worker safety and health as nanotechnology develops.
NIOSH’s site detailing its “Work-Related Lung Disease (eWoRLD) Surveillance System” has also been updated. The site presents up-to-date summary tables, graphs, and figures of occupationally related respiratory disease surveillance data on the pneumoconioses, occupational asthma, and other airways diseases, and several other respiratory conditions. It also links to related resources.
