NIOSH Releases
Interim Guidance on Screening of Workers
Potentially Exposed to Nanoparticles
[Posted 01/02/2008]
Amid
concern that environmental exposure to nanoparticles
(materials with at least one dimension smaller than
100 nanometers) may result in adverse health effects
for workers that manufacture or use such materials,
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) has issued guidance concerning the
medical screening of workers potentially exposed to
engineered nanoparticles in the workplace. The
purpose of the guidance, released on December 13,
2007, is to provide interim recommendations while
scientific knowledge is being developed.
Where
a potential workplace exposure may occur, NIOSH
recommends the following:
-
take
practical measures to control exposures;
-
conduct hazard surveillance as a basis for
implementing controls; and
-
consider implementing established medical
surveillance approaches to help assess whether
controls are effective.
In
addition, NIOSH is soliciting input on the benefits
of exposure registries for workers in nanoparticle
industries.
NIOSH
is conducting a peer review of the guidance to
ensure that the recommendations are scientifically
and technically sound and to determine whether
medical screening or another type of occupational
health surveillance is appropriate for workers. To
facilitate the review, NIOSH is specifically asking
for public comment of the following:
-
Do the data cited support
the conclusions of the document?
-
Are the conclusions
appropriate in light of the current understanding
of the toxicological data?
-
Is medical surveillance
appropriate at this time for workers with
potential exposure to engineered nanoparticles,
and if so, what form(s) of medical surveillance
are appropriate?
-
What are the potential
benefits, adverse impacts, and limitations of
medical screening of workers potentially exposed
to engineered nanoparticles?
-
What are the potential
benefits, adverse impacts, and limitations of
establishing an exposure registry for workers
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/,
along with instructions for submitting comments. A
public meeting will also be held on January 30
to discuss the document.
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