Archives

July 25, 2017

NIOSH Publishes Chapter on Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers on Filters by Transmission Electron Microscopy

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a chapter in the fifth edition of the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) entitled “Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers on Mixed Cellulose Ester Filters by Transmission Electron Microscopy.”  The draft chapter provides standardized approaches for the analysis of carbon nanoparticles.  The chapter provides detailed guidance on effective means to perform transmission electron microscopic analysis...
April 28, 2017

Charles Geraci Receives NIOSH Director’s Distinguished Career Scientist Award

On April 27, 2017, Dr. Charles Geraci, Associate Director for Nanotechnology at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), received the Director’s Distinguished Career Scientist Award.  Dr. Geraci provides overall strategic guidance to the nanotechnology research program at NIOSH and is recognized internationally for his leadership in the field.  Dr. Geraci has more than 40 years of industrial hygiene practice experience.  He brings to NIOSH a unique...
April 18, 2017

NIOSH BSC Meeting Includes Presentation on Nanotoxicology

On April 12, 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) held its 68th meeting.  The BSC’s primary activity is to provide advice on NIOSH’s occupational safety and health research and prevention programs.  The BSC also advises on standards of scientific excellence, current needs in the field of occupational safety and health, and the applicability and dissemination of research findings.  Dr. Jenny Roberts,...
March 17, 2017

NIOSH Will Hold Public Meeting and Seeks Comments on Draft CIB on the Occupational Exposure Banding Process: Guidance for the Evaluation of Chemical Hazards

On March 15, 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of a draft Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) entitled The NIOSH Occupational Exposure Banding Process: Guidance for the Evaluation of Chemical Hazards for public comment.  Under occupational exposure banding, chemicals are assigned to specific categories or bands based on the chemical’s potency and the negative health...
March 16, 2017

NIOSH Extends Comment Period on Proposed Survey of Engineered Nanomaterial OSH Practices

On March 14, 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) extended the comment period on the proposed information collection entitled “Survey of Engineered Nanomaterial Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Practices.”  The goal of the project is to assess the relevance and impact of NIOSH’s contribution to guidelines and risk mitigation practices for safe handling of engineered nanomaterials in the workplace.  NIOSH invites comment on: Whether the...
February 27, 2017

NIOSH Publishes Draft Chapter on Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers on Filters by Transmission Electron Microscopy

On February 27, 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the availability of a draft chapter to be published in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods entitled “Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers on Mixed Cellulose Ester Filters by Transmission Electron Microscopy” for public comment.  The draft chapter provides standardized approaches for the analysis of carbon nanoparticles.  NIOSH states that these standardized...
February 14, 2017

NIOSH Seeks Comment on Proposed Survey of Engineered Nanomaterial OSH Practices

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a Federal Register notice on February 10, 2017, inviting comment on a proposed information collection plan, “Survey of Engineered Nanomaterial Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Practices.”  The goal of the project is to assess the relevance and impact of NIOSH’s contribution to guidelines and risk mitigation practices for safe handling of engineered nanomaterials in the workplace.  The...
February 2, 2017

NIOSH Publishes Blog Item on Art and Science of OELs for Nanomaterials

On February 1, 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) posted a blog item entitled “The Art and Science of OELs for Nanomaterials.”  According to the item, NIOSH searched for proposals for occupational exposure limits (OEL) for new nanomaterials as part of the development of a World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for working safely with nanomaterials.  The blog item cites the article “Occupational exposure limits for manufactured...
January 18, 2017

NIOSH Accepting Input on How Best to Protect Workers, Including in Nanotechnology

John Howard, M.D., Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), authored a January 10, 2017, NIOSH blog item entitled “Occupational Health Issues in the USA.”  Howard shares a recent editorial he wrote in Occupational Medicine, “Occupational health issues in the USA,” that highlights some of the occupational safety and health issues identified as needing attention by the industry sector groups of the National Occupational Research Agenda...
November 2, 2016

NIOSH Announces Sampling Strategy to Help Identify Potential Nanomaterial Exposure in an Occupational Setting

On November 1, 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a blog item entitled “Never fear!  NEAT 2.0 is here! — How to perform nanomaterial exposure assessment in the workplace.”  NIOSH notes that in 2009, it developed and was the first to recommend using the nanoparticle emission assessment technique (NEAT).  According to NIOSH, NEAT made use of a condensation particle counter to identify tasks that result or can result in the...