NIOSH Releases Interim Guidance on Medical Screening of Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles
December 24, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
| |
| IHS Sells Standards & Regulations |
Environment/Health/Safety solutions from IHS include current & historical codes, regs & standards from gov't, int'l & industry sources.
Complete this form for a free quote. |
|
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued interim guidance concerning the medical screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles in the manufacture and industrial use of nanomaterials.
Because the topic has not been discussed in the scientific literature, NIOSH developed the guidance to generate discussion, fill the current knowledge gap and provide interim recommendations until further scientific information becomes available.
Additionally, NIOSH is seeking comments on the strengths and weaknesses of exposure registries for workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.
NIOSH said it will continue to examine the scientific evidence and periodically update its guidance on medical screening. Until more is understood about the potential occupational hazards of exposure to engineered nanoparticles, NIOSH recommends the following for workplaces where a potential exposure may occur:
- Take practical measures to control exposures.
- Conduct hazard surveillance as a basis for implementing controls.
- Consider implementing established medical surveillance approaches to help assess whether controls are effective.
Engineered nanoparticles are materials with at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers and are produced through controlling and manipulating matter at the near-atomic scale ( nanotechnology). These particles exhibit unique properties that may affect their physical, chemical and biological behaviors. Preliminary research raised concerns regarding the potential for adverse health effects related to occupational exposure to engineered nanoparticles.
However, insufficient scientific and medical evidence exists to recommend at this time specific medical screening tests for workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.
The document Interim Guidance for the Medical Screening of Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/115.
To provide feedback, mail written comments to NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS C-34, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
Submit electronic comments as Microsoft Word files to nioshdocket@cdc.gov. Please reference docket number NIOSH-115 when providing comments. All public comments must be postmarked by Feb. 15, 2008.
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).