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 ipodnano
BMC: Lighter and Stiffer Frames with Eastom Nanotube Technology (www.bmc-racing.com)
Samsung Silver Nano Washers Nano Technology when converted to such a level a material may take on new properties and functions Silver Nano ions easily penetrate cells of microorganisms sterilize 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 nanotechnology we 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 skin s 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) Nanotechnology s 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