NIOSH Nanotechnology Metal 

Oxide Particle Exposure

Assessment Study

Background: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is 

the leading federal agency conducting research and providing guidance on the 

occupational safety and health implications of exposure to engineered nanomaterials. As part of its nanotechnology research agenda, NIOSH initiated a study to 

investigate exposure to fine (0.1μm to 2.5μm diameter) and ultrafine (<0.1μm 

diameter) metal oxides. 

Purpose: The purpose of the metal oxide study is to measure and characterize 

workplace exposure to fine and ultrafine metal oxides in both manufacturing and 

end-user facilities. The specific objectives are to: 1) characterize airborne metal 

oxides exposure metrics by job or process, 2) obtain quantitative estimates of 

exposure to fine and ultrafine metal oxides by particle size, and 3) evaluate a strategy for measuring workplace exposure to fine and ultrafine metal oxides. These 

objectives will allow NIOSH to determine which processes and job tasks pose the 

highest risk of exposure to workers. This study is specifically designed to conduct 

a detailed evaluation of exposures to fine and ultrafine metal oxides, and is not the 

same as the baseline assessment program offered by the NIOSH nanotechnology 

field research team. Information on that program is available at www.cdc.gov/

niosh/topics/nanotech. 

Who can participate: Manufacturers and end-users of fine and ultrafine metal 

oxides are being asked to participate in this study. More specifically, workers at 

these facilities who are involved in the production and use of metal oxides will be 

asked to participate. 

Benefits: Since companies that participate in this research study will undergo a 

sampling survey to measure airborne metal oxides, sampling results may provide 

companies with a better understanding of metal oxide exposure occurring in their 

facility. Areas of contamination, if any, will be identified and recommendations to 

reduce exposure will be provided when possible. A report of the findings will be 

sent to each company that participates. 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
What is required of participating companies: NIOSH researchers will visit 

each facility once or twice to conduct a metal oxide exposure survey; each survey 

will take one or two days. The survey will involve placing several pieces of sampling equipment near sources of potential exposure. Workers involved in various 

tasks related to the production and end-use of metal oxides may be asked to wear 

a sampling pump. Collected samples will be analyzed for metal oxides. 

Use of the data: The data collected in this study will be used to determine the 

extent to which metal oxide exposure is occurring in the nanotechnology industry. 

The information will be used for scientific research purposes only, and published 

study results will not identify participating companies. In addition, there are federal laws and regulations that provide protection for the proprietary and trade 

secret information of the participating companies. 

For more information: To learn more about the Metal Oxide Particle Exposure 

Assessment Study, contact Brian Curwin, Project Manager, at (513) 841–4432, 

bcurwin@cdc.gov, or by mail at 4676 Columbia Parkway, Mail Stop R-14, Cincinnati, OH 45226. For information about other nanotechnology research efforts 

underway at NIOSH (such as the field research effort), contact NIOSH toll-free 

at 1–800–CDC–INFO (800–232–46360 [press 1 to speak to an operator]), or 

visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. 

Nanotechnology has many benefits that could be overshadowed if the risks are 

ignored. As a non-regulatory research agency, NIOSH focuses on effective approaches to reducing occupational health and safety risks from exposure to nanomaterials, as well as conducting research and making recommendations to prevent 

work-related injury and illness for all workers.

Comprehensive aerosols measurements conducted at different production 

processess within a primary nanoscale metal oxide production facility. A 

number of aerosol sampling methods and instruments are used simultaneously to better understand particle characteristics.
To receive other documents or other information about occupational safety and 

health topics, contact NIOSH at

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348 ■ E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews.

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted.

As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations 

to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries. Fact sheets describe how worker 

exposures to hazardous agents or activities can be reduced.

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. 

In addition, citations to Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH 

endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008–122

SAFER • HEALTHIER • PEOPLETM

March 2008

Cover photo credits:

Nanotrees, Ghim Wei Ho and Professor Mark Welland, 

Nanostructure Center, University of Cambridge
NIOSH Nanotechnology Metal Oxide 

Particle Exposure Assessment Study

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008–122 • March 2008

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

4676 Columbia Parkway

Cincinnati, OH 45226–1998