Introduction to

Nanotechnology

Michael Krause, MSPH, ROH, CIH

mkrause@veritox.com
What is Nanotechnology?

¾Nanotechnology 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)
¾1 nanometer (nm) = 1 billionth of a
meter
Nanotechnology Industry

¾Intense international competition to

develop and commercialize
nanoproducts
– Government funding
¾Horse is out of the barn-health and
enviro information lagging
Nanoparticles – International
Standards Organization (ISO)

¾Particle with a nominal diameter

(such as geometric, aerodynamic,
mobility, projected-area or
otherwise) of 100 nanometers or
less.(2)
¾Ultrafine 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

¾ Buckeyball of ¾ Carbon
carbon atoms nanotubes
(www.udel.edu) (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

¾Expensive instruments are

available to monitor factory air but
there is background from vehicles
and heating systems
¾Respirator filters work
Nanoparticles (PDC 418, June 3, 2007)

¾Ubiquitous in nature (smoke, dust)

¾Human exposure and
accomodation nothing new
¾We cannot assume that
nanomaterials are the same as their
bulk counterpart...but also cannot
assume that they are more toxic.
¾Every particle should be tested on a
case-by-case basis.
Nanomaterials – Why?

¾Tiny size
¾Incredible surface area per unit
mass
¾Light weight
¾Strong
Boeing 787 – 50% Composite
Commercial Products

¾Nanotech Project: Searchable

Inventory (1)
– 500 Products
– 30% cosmetics
– Antibacterial or stain resistant fabric,
bats, golf clubs, socks, paint, tires
¾Marketing “nano” as “good”
– iPod Nano
BMC: Lighter and Stiffer
Frames with Eastom
Nanotube Technology
(www.bmc-racing.com)
Samsung “Silver Nano”
Washers
¾“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

¾The EPA informed Samsung that

the silver ion generating washing
machine is subject to registration
under FIFRA as a pesticide.
¾“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

¾ 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?
¾ 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

¾Electronics
¾Coatings
¾Fuel Cells
¾Water filters
¾Composites
¾Drugs
¾Cancer Detection & Treatment
Issues - ISO Technical Report
2007 (2)

¾Lack of current guidelines and

standards
– ISO, ANSI, ASTM, AIHA Task
Forces
Issues – ISO Technical Report
2007 (2)

¾Increasing concern over the

potential health risks
Public Risk Perception-Baseline
Cultural Cognition Project, Yale Law School (4)

¾Nanotech knowledge?
– 81% knew “nothing” to “a little”
¾Benefits 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?

¾2005: Aggregates form and inhibit

growth in culture in vivo (5)
¾2007: 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

¾Bathroom aerosol spray caused

pulmonary edema in 80 users
¾No nanomaterials in the product (7)
¾Reportedly no problems from pump
spray version
¾Investigated 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)

¾Need for valid monitoring methods

– Mass, surface area, and/or
number?
Sampling & Analysis-ISO

¾Mass
– Probably not
– Low mass of nanoparticles
– Interference from other particles
Sampling & Analysis-ISO

¾Surface 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

¾Size-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

¾Old dust standards in millions of

particles per cubic foot of air
(mppcf)
¾Asbestos - OSHA standard of
100,000 fibers per cubic meter of
air
Sampling & Analysis – UK
2006 Research Report

¾“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

¾Conclusions: “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

¾ (1) Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Woodrow Wilson

International Center for Scholars (www.nanotechproject.org)
¾ (2) Workplace Atmospheres-Ultrafine, nanoparticle and nano-
structured 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)
¾ (3) The Evolution of the US Nanotechnology Enterprise, Philip
Shapiro, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006,
www.nanodistrict.org
¾ (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)
¾ (5) “Buckyballs Batter Bacteria,” Science News, May 4, 2005
(http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-
w/2005/may/science/rp_nanocrystals.html)
¾ (6) Tong Z, et al, “Impact of Fullerene (C60) on a Soil Microbial
Community,” Environmental Science and Technology, April 15,
2007
References
¾ (7) Study Shows no Nano in Magic Nano, the German Product
Recalled for Causing Breathing Problems, Small Times online
(www.smalltimes.com/Articles)
¾ (8) Cause of Intoxications with Nano Spray not yet fully
Elucidated, BfR online
(www.bfr.bund.de/cms5w/sixcms/detail.php/7750)
¾ (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)

¾ Myths and realities of nanotech (BBC)

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3920685.stm)
¾ BigPicture on nanoscience, Wellcome Trust, 2005
(www.wellcome.ac.uk/assets/wtd015798.pdf)
¾ 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)
¾ U.S. Nanotechnology Initiative
¾ 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)
¾ Health Impacts of Ultrafine Particles, Department of the Environment
and Heritage, Australian Government, 2004
(www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/health-
impacts/index.html)
¾ Nanotechnology-Small Matter, Many Unknowns, Swiss Re, 2004
(www.swissre.com)
Reading List (Free)

¾ Nanotechnology’s Invisible Threat, National Resources Defense

Council, 2007 (www.nrdc.org/health/science/nano/nano.pdf)
¾ Nanotechnology: Small Science, Big Consequences
(www.nrdc.org/health/science/nano/contents.asp)
¾ 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)
¾ Environmentally Beneficial Nanotechnologies, Oakdene Hollins, 2007
(www.defra.gov.uk/environment/nanotech/policy/pdf/envbeneficial-
report.pdf)
¾ 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)
¾ Nanotechnology White Paper, US EPA, 2005
(www.epa.gov/osa/nanotech.htm)
¾ NIOSH Nanotechnology Topic Page
(www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/default.html)
Reading List (Free)

¾ FDA Nanotechnology Task Force, US Food and Drug Administration,

2006 (www.fda.gov/nanotechnology)
¾ National Nanotechnology Initiative (www.nano.gov)
¾ International Council of Nanotechnology (http://icon.rice.edu)
¾ Discussion Paper on a Policy Framework for Nanotechnology
(www.cielap.org/pdf/NanoFramework.pdf)
¾ Small Times Magazine (www.smalltimes.com)
¾ www.azonano.com
¾ www.nsti.org
¾ http://nano.cancer.gov
¾ www.nanotechwire.com
¾ NPR report on nano-cosmetics 2007 (www.nanotechproject.org/55)
¾ Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, Council for Science and
Technology, UK, March 2007 (www.cst.gov.uk)
¾ 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