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Nanotechnology has come to symbolize the next industrial revolution in
America. The opportunities to reduce the scale of products, to make materials
lighter and stronger, and to design machines that perform useful functions on
the micrometer and smaller scale seem endless. However, the development of these
materials is not without potential risk to the producer, their employees, the
consumer, or the environment. By taking advantage of lessons learned in the
past, the nanotechnology industry can reach its full potential and support safe
environments at the same time.
Nanotechnology has come to symbolize the next industrial revolution in
America. The opportunities to reduce the scale of products, to make materials
lighter and stronger, and to design machines that perform useful functions on
the micrometer and smaller scale seem endless. However, the development of these
materials is not without potential risk to the producer, their employees, the
consumer, or the environment. By taking advantage of lessons learned in the
past, the nanotechnology industry can reach its full potential and support safe
environments at the same time.
The Issue
There is a lack of information on the environmental and toxicological
implications of engineered nanoparticles. Of the peer-reviewed articles relating
to nanotechnology and its applications that have been published in the last five
years, only a limited number focus on Environmental, Safety and Health issues.
Government agencies, such as National Institute of Standards (NIST) and the
National laboratories, and major corporations are developing research programs
to address the array of issues production, utilization, and disposal of
nanomaterials and products containing nanomaterials. However much of our
knowledge is currently regarded as preliminary information still pending full
scale investigation.
Most importantly, as discussed in a recent nanotechnology workshop held by RJLG, the representatives of many
organizations and professionals believe there is a huge void in understanding
the potential hazards of nanoparticulates, as well as the correct sampling,
analysis, risk assessment and control strategies.
The Need
While existing strategies can form the basis for informed decision-making, a
significant amount of research and development will be needed to quantify the
significance of the release of nanoparticles into the environment, and to
quantify the risks to humans, animals, and the ecosystem. The sampling and
analytical methods of yesterday will have or need to be extended to particles
100 times smaller than we routinely analyze today, and be compared with the
results of in vitro and in vivo experiments, and longer term epidemiological
results.
The History
Within the past 30 years, there have been numerous advances in the sciences
of characterization for naturally occurring and incidental nano-sized
particulates as well as technologies for protecting workers and the environment
when working around these substances. Examples of some types of naturally
occurring and anthropogenic nanoparticles include soots, welding fumes and
asbestos.
The knowledge gained from working with these materials should be considered
and applied to recognizing, evaluating and mitigating risks when dealing with
engineered nanoparticles. Through the use of existing measurement tools,
engineering controls, safe work practices/management, advances in product
designs, and personal protective equipment, we can mitigate the risks of working
with naturally occurring and incidental nanoparticles.
The Parallels
The asbestos mineral has several unique properties including nano-sized
subcomponents that make it comparable to many of the nanoparticles being worked
with today. It is a substance which took the country by storm in the 40's and
50's, because it offered the world the opportunity to improve a variety of
products and processes.
Due to its thermal stability, strength, flexibility, and the ease with which
it could be incorporated into products, asbestos was used in a variety of
applications. Prime examples include: taller structures could be built because
asbestos allowed for lighter weight fireproofing, liquid filtration was improved
significantly; its strength and flexibility allowed it to be used to reinforce
cement pipes, and brakes could be manufactured with longer life. Ships were
insulated to reduce the spread of fire in combat operations and electrical
cables were produced with greater flexibility and better insulation than
previously possible.
In today's terms, the widespread adoption of asbestos containing products
undoubtedly saved millions of lives, and billions of dollars by improving
fire-retardant materials, reducing the cost of manufacturing, and expanding our
ability to design and manufacture new products.
As we have learned in retrospect, asbestos containing materials have the
potential to release fine fibrils that can penetrate deep into the lungs when
inhaled and disrupt the normal dust defense mechanisms of the body. As a result,
asbestos is recognized as a potential health hazard for persons exposed to
sufficient quantities for a long enough period of time.
At the time of asbestos' entry into common manufacturing, the techniques
required to assess exposures and evaluate the significance of those exposures
were either not available or were in the infancy of their creation. Today, we
can measure and control asbestos exposures, but its use has already been
restricted or eliminated from many industries.
The Opportunity
Given the experience, the research methods, the analytical instruments,
control strategies, and the risk assessment techniques developed in the last
half-century, scientists, regulatory agencies, and managers are in a position to
minimize most of the retrospective process issues that took place relative to
asbestos, welding fumes, and other substances with nano-sized particles or
materials. In contrast to those eras, today we have the measurement and
evaluation technologies to use as indicators that can be applied to study the
release of engineered nanoparticles into the environment or work place.
The Role of RJ Lee Group
RJ Lee Group is committed to developing
the expertise necessary to support our clientele in the future. Our core area of expertise, microscopy, will
play an integral role in both of the key areas of the nanotechnology industries:
materials characterization and environmental health and safety. RJ Lee Group have made significant investments
into the instrumentation required to successfully engage in the development of
these arenas.
RJ Lee Group is taking advantage of their
experience in environmental issues, and in the assessment of particulate
emissions to provide guidance to clients on how to recognize and address
potential concerns. RJ Lee Group is actively
investigating methods for quantifying the size, shape, and composition of
nanoparticles, and developing analytical techniques for rapid and reliable
analysis of their abundance in air, water, and other matrices.
Our scientists are collaborating with
instrument manufacturers, state and federal agencies, national laboratories, and
producers to identify research needs. RJ Lee
Group is adapting the procedures and processes used to create
"use-scenarios" for materials such as asbestos or other particle releases to
simulate exposures to nanoparticles during manufacturing and anticipated
usage.
The strategies employed for nanoparticles and asbestos are essentially the
same; the difference is that instrumentation is available to allow us to
successfully assess and characterize nanoparticles while we had to wait decades
for technological advances that allowed us to engage similarly in the asbestos
arena. With our experience in asbestos, the nanotechnology work we are doing
now, and the continuing development of our experts, RJ Lee Group will remain the firm of choice for
nano-scale materials characterization and problem solving.
Source: "Nanomaterials: Securing the Future with Lessons from
the Past" by Richard J. Lee
Reprint with permission from RJ Lee Group.