What is NIOSH’s Role?

The National Institute for Occupational Safe-

ty and Health is participating in an interna

-

tional effort of research groups, government 

agencies and industries seeking to understand the health impact of nanotechnology 

and how to control potential risks. NIOSH is 

pursuing a number of initiatives, including:

• Studying the mechanisms leading to 

nanoparticle toxicity.

• Developing and testing methods to 

characterize and monitor the healthrelated properties of nanomaterials.

• Investigating nanoparticle exposure 

and ways of controlling exposure in 

the workplace.

Through strategic planning, working in part-

nership with others and making information 

widely available, NIOSH is working in paral-

lel with the development and implementa-

tion of nanotechnology to fulfill its mission of 

providing national and world leadership to 

prevent work-related illness and injuries. 

Is There a Risk in the Workplace?

Nanomaterials present new challenges to 

understanding, predicting and managing 

potential health risks. They may interact 

with the human body in different ways than 

more conventional materials, due to their 

extremely small size. For example, studies 

have established that the comparatively 

large surface area of inhaled nanoparticles 

can increase their toxicity. Such small 

particles can penetrate deep into the lungs 

and may move to other parts of the body, 

including the liver and brain. 

There are still many knowledge gaps to 

be filled before we fully understand how 

to work safely with these materials. Until 

these and other research questions are 

answered, it is prudent to proceed with 

caution when working with nanomaterials.

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of 

matter on a near-atomic size scale to 

produce new structures, materials, and de-

vices. Materials exhibit unique properties 

at the nanoscale level, which affect their 

physical, chemical and biological behavior. 

How is it Used?

The use of nanotechnology is being 

researched and developed in many 

areas, including: 

• Developing new optical, electronic and 

optoelectronic devices.

• Improving energy storage and efficiency.

• Creating highly effective mechanical and 

bio-electronic interfaces.

• Advancing new methods of medical 

imaging, treatment, and therapeutics.

Scientists predict nanotechnology has the 

ability to revolutionize many industries. For 

example, nanotechnology is expected to 

enable the production of smaller, cheaper 

and more accurate sensors. The sensors 

could detect environmental pollutants, indi

-

cate exposure to toxic substances in the 

workplace, help business track inventories, 

check food safety, and assess structural 

damage in buildings. 

Nanomaterials can behave in 

unpredictable ways when handled.

Scanning Transmission Electron Micros-

copy is being used to identify lead-rich 

nanoparticles in a predominantly iron fume. 

100 nm
A Transmission Electron Micrograph of a ‘nanorope’ formed 

from single walled carbon nanotubes. The image shows the iron 

catalyst particles (red) from which the nanotubes are grown.

Safer • Healthier • PeopleTM

For more information on nanotechnology and other 

occupational safety and health topics contact NIOSH at:

800-356-4674 • 513-533-8573 (fax)

pubstaff@cdc.gov

or visit our web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-175 

Further Resources

National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health Nanotechnology Topic Page

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech

National Occupational Research Agenda 

(NORA). Click on Emerging Technologies 

www2a.cdc.gov/nora

The National Nanotechnology Initiative in the 

United States

www.nano.gov

Royal Society/ Royal Academy of 

Engineers Report

www.royalsoc.ac.uk

To protect worker health, 

NIOSH researchers are 

studying how nanoparticles 

may be toxic and how exposures can be controlled to 

safe levels.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), is the primary federal agency responsible for conducting research and making 

recommendations for the prevention of workrelated illness and injuries.

Nanotechnology Workplace Safety &and Health