EHS OutLoud Blog

Nanotechnology Guidance from NIOSH

Jan. 4, 2024

NIOSH is helping employers understand best practices to meet exposure targets.

The NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Cente, which turned 20 this year, notes in its science blog notes tha tthe group's reserach "has led to improved recommendations for controlling exposures during advanced manufacturing processes."

NIOSH was the first U.S. government agency to establish recommended exposure limits (RELs) for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). In 2011 NIOSH released two RELs for the same chemical based on fine and ultrafine sizes. These were published in Current Intelligence Bulletin 63: Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide. Workplace guidance recommendations were also provided in this Current Intelligence Bulletin.

NIOSH also published two other ENM-related guidance documents:

Targeted Guidance for Employers

In addition to exposure limits, employers need to know the best workplace practices to meet exposure targets. NIOSH has published guidance documents for these employers:

Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles offers interim guidance on controlling exposures with practical measures, conducting hazard surveillance, and using established medical surveillance methods (2009).
General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories addresses ENM handling in research laboratory settings (2012).
Strategies for Engineering Controls in Nanomaterial Production and Downstream Handling Processes helps to find and describe methods for controlling ENM exposures using engineering controls (2014).
Building a Safety Program to Protect the Nanotechnology Workforce is targeted to small- and medium-sized businesses (2016).
Occupational Exposure Sampling for Engineered Nanomaterials offers workplace sampling guidance for carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, silver, titanium dioxide, and other ENMs without exposure limits (2022).

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.