In a new guidance document for workers who handle nanomaterials, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides recommendations on engineering controls and safe practices for working with these engineered materials in laboratories and pilot scale operations.
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The NIOSH guide, General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories (PDF*), was designed to be used alongside well-established practices and a laboratory's chemical hygiene plan.
Workers who use nanomaterials in research or production processes may be exposed to nanoparticles through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, depending on how the materials are used and handled.
Although the potential health effects of such exposure are not fully understood at this time, scientific studies indicate that at least some of these materials are biologically active, may readily penetrate intact human skin, and have produced toxicologic reactions in the lungs of exposed experimental animals.
For more information about the health effects, workplace assessments, and controls for nanomaterials, visit OSHA's Nanotechnology page.
Workers who use nanomaterials in research or production processes may be exposed to nanoparticles through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, depending on how the materials are used and handled.
Although the potential health effects of such exposure are not fully understood at this time, scientific studies indicate that at least some of these materials are biologically active, may readily penetrate intact human skin, and have produced toxicologic reactions in the lungs of exposed experimental animals.
For more information about the health effects, workplace assessments, and controls for nanomaterials, visit OSHA's Nanotechnology page.
