The NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Cente, which turned 20 this year, notes in its science blog notes tha tthe group's reserach "has led to improved recommendations for controlling exposures during advanced manufacturing processes."
NIOSH was the first U.S. government agency to establish recommended exposure limits (RELs) for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). In 2011 NIOSH released two RELs for the same chemical based on fine and ultrafine sizes. These were published in Current Intelligence Bulletin 63: Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide. Workplace guidance recommendations were also provided in this Current Intelligence Bulletin.
NIOSH also published two other ENM-related guidance documents:
- Current Intelligence Bulletin 65: Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers (2013)
- Current Intelligence Bulletin 70: Health Effect of Occupational Exposure to Silver Nanomaterials (2021)
Targeted Guidance for Employers
In addition to exposure limits, employers need to know the best workplace practices to meet exposure targets. NIOSH has published guidance documents for these employers:
- Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles offers interim guidance on controlling exposures with practical measures, conducting hazard surveillance, and using established medical surveillance methods (2009).
- General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories addresses ENM handling in research laboratory settings (2012).
- Strategies for Engineering Controls in Nanomaterial Production and Downstream Handling Processes helps to find and describe methods for controlling ENM exposures using engineering controls (2014).
- Building a Safety Program to Protect the Nanotechnology Workforce is targeted to small- and medium-sized businesses (2016).
- Occupational Exposure Sampling for Engineered Nanomaterials offers workplace sampling guidance for carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, silver, titanium dioxide, and other ENMs without exposure limits (2022).
