1. Manufacturing
Products with
Nanomaterials
White Paper
September 2016
Columbia Southern University- Industrial Hygiene

2. Background/Industry Overview
Nanomaterials uses, continue to increase due
to vast applications in different industries.
Many companies use engineered
nanomaterial to make a products stronger
and last longer. According to NIOSH
(2013), “It is essential that producers and
users of nanomaterials ensure a safe and
healthy work environment for employees
who may be exposed to these
materials” (P.1). The use of engineered
nanomaterial is a relatively new and not a lot
is known about occupational exposures or
what an acceptable level of exposure would
be. There are many different agents that are
used when engineering nanomaterials and it
is employer’s duty to ensure that all employees’ safety and health are the first consideration taken when
introducing new agents into the work site.
Engineered nanomaterials are materials that are made to be specifically smaller than 100 nanometers.
The majority of the materials that are produced at the smaller size have increased durability and
strength, and other improved properties. Nanomaterial production seems to be the future in various
industries to improve their existing products. Elmer’s glue uses a nanomaterial, titanium dioxide that
helps increase hardness and strength of dried glue. Titanium dioxide is also used in food as an
anticaking agent. Most of the products that are manufactured using nanomaterial are from the health
and fitness category of products. According to Roco (2005) reports that worldwide, the investment in
nanotechnology has increased from $432 million in 1997 to about $4.1 billion in 2005.
Since the manufacturing of nanomaterials is relatively new process, many efforts are underway to
determine if there are any significant health and safety to personnel. Some of the results from the initial
testing that has been completed by scientists have had some troubling results.
NIOSH [2013]. Current strategies for engineering controls in nanomaterial production and downstream handling processes. Cincinnati,
OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–102.
Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
What is a nanomaterial?

3. Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems
A company that produces nanomaterial needs to have an effective health and safety management system.
It is important that the expectation from the CEO to the field personnel share the same ideologies when
it comes to safety and health of every employee. This includes hazard analysis and prevention for each
job step, and finding an effective mitigation as well as training each employee on the materials they are
handling. Nanomaterials cover a wide range of hazards depending on which materials are being used and
the processes they are using the materials in.
All hazard assessments need to be documented so that it can be referenced and used by the management
team and field level personnel for planning of new tasks. If any new hazards are identified that are not
documented during the planning phase, it needs to be brought up to safety department and supervison.
The introduction of a new chemical or step in a process should automatically trigger a follow hazard
assessment, to validate that no new hazards have been created by the new changes in the process. The
hazard assessment document is an ever green document which needs to be updated regularly.
As with any production process we always want to work from the top to bottom implementing the
hierarchy of controls to minimize the exposure of a hazard to an employee. Elimination is the most
effective control when working through the hierarchy of controls. When producing a nanomaterial we
need to look at if we can eliminate the particular hazard all together. Are we able to make the same
product without the nanomaterial and keep the same properties? The next step would be substitution of
a less harmful nanomaterial that would yield the same results. Engineering controls such as ventilation
in the work have proven to be an effective mitigation. Each decision that is made while impletementing
controls when handling nanomaterials needs to be made with with the health and safety of the personnel
that is working in the production process that is making the nanomaterial.
Exposure control strategies
Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials

4. Nanotechnology Processes
NIOSH (2013) stated that "Currently nanomaterials are produced using a variety of methods that
provide conditions for the formation of desired shapes, sizes and chemical compositions and that the
production processes can be separated into six categories" (p.21):
• Gas Phase Processes, including flame pyrolysis, high-temperature evaporation, and plasma synthesis
• Chemical vapor deposition
• Colloidal or liquid phase methods
• Mechanical processes including grinding, milling and alloying
• Atomic and moecular beam epitaxy
• Dip pen lithography
Engineering controls, is the means of removing the
hazard or putting a barrier between the hazard and
the personnel. To idenify an engineering control
you have to know the complete process from start to
finish. This helps ensure that the that the control
will be effective. Most engineering controls cost
more upfront but companies see a return on
investment on the back end. This also means that
the company will save money if the controls are
effective because they often dont require any
additional training.
Some examples from Pharmaceutical industries of engineering controls for different job tasks are:
• Discharge/collar hood • Glovebox isolator
• Continuous Liner • Ventilated booth
• Inflatable seal • Wet Suppression
• Nano Fume Hood
Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
Engineering Control Methods
NIOSH [2013]. Current strategies for engineering controls in nanomaterial production and downstream handling processes. Cincinnati,
OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–102.

5. Manufacturing Products with Nanomaterials
Since there is not much data reagarding the health and safety exposures regarding producing
nanomaterial, steps have to be taken to ensure that the safe guards that are put into place are effective
and evaluated peridoically.
Locate the sources that have the highest potential to expose personnel. This will narrow your areas down
so that you will be able to conduct a sampling plan.
Once the locations of the potential exposures has been determined the company will want to gather
information on the background of the area. This will help differentiate if the area is contaiminated from
an outside source that is not part of the sampling plan..
Another factor that has to be considered is what form of the hazard exsists in the work area. This is
important so you can determine the sampling method and media that will be require to complete the
sampling plan.
A facility should have an audit form that can be used by the supervision to ensure that the engineering
controls are working and functioning correctly. This will allow the management team to perform spot
checks on their personnel ensure that they are compliant with the companies policies.
Conclusion and Recommendations
There are many factors that need to be accounted for when developing a comprehensive health and
safety program for producing nanomaterials. A thorough risk assessment will help a company
determine which tasks pose the greater risk to their personnel and help idenitfy an effective
mitigation. Even though the nanomaterials industry has not been around for very long there are
plenty of resources out that will help guide a company to ensure that their employees are not exposed.
The safety of the personnel should be the number one priority in each step of creating a new product
with nanomaterials.
NIOSH [2013]. Current strategies for engineering controls in nanomaterial production and downstream handling processes.
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–102.
Control Evaluations