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Tarun Batra et al.

, IJSID 2011, 1 (3), 34-45

ISSN:2249-5347

IJSID
International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries
Review Article
An International peer Review Journal for Science

Available online through www.ijsidonline.info

NANOTECHNOLOGY: IS IT IN NEED FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT?


Dr. Tarun Batra Voice for Earth International, 225,Cedar Hill St.,Suite 200 Marlborough, MA 01752 USA

ABSTRACT
Received: 16.09.2011 Modified: 13.10.2011 Published: 29.12.2011

Nanomaterials are invisible to the normal human eye and are visible through microscopes. These are increasingly used for commercial purposes such as fillers, opacifiers, catalysts, semiconductors, cosmetics, micro electronics and drug carriers. Materials in this size range approach the length

*Corresponding Author

scale at which some specific physical or chemical interactions with their environment can occur. Nanotechnology creates improved materials, devices and systems that exploit these new and unique properties to come up with a totally different bulk material with different properties As a result, their properties differ substantially from those bulk materials of the same composition, allowing them to perform exceptional feats of conductivity, reactivity and optical sensitivity. Possible undesirable results of these capabilities are harmful interactions with biological systems and the environment, with the potential to generate toxicity. Risks associated with

Name: Dr. Tarun Batra Place: Marlborough , USA E-mail: tbatra@voiceforearth.org

current nanosized materials are currently undefined and appear manageable. However, predicted evolution and refinement of nanotechnology in the near future will require the establishment of safety principles and test procedures to ensure safe research, manufacture, use and disposal of nanomaterials. Evaluating these current and future risks of nanotechnology is necessary and achievable. INTRODUCTION Keywords Nanotechnology, Risks, Nanomaterials, Safe Material, Health Concerns, Safety, Occupational Health, Environmental Health

INTRODUCTION

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Tarun Batra et al., IJSID 2011, 1 (3), 34-45 INTRODUCTION


Nanotechnology is the science that deals with manipulations of basic matter: atoms and molecules which are as small as 1 to 100 nanometers. A nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter or 10-9. For comparison, a flea is 10-3 or 1 mm, a human hair is 10 -4 or 80 m, a red blood cell is 10-5 or 7 m, a strand of DNA is 10-8 or 2 nm, a bundle of carbon nanotubes is approximately 1.4 nm wide, a carbon 60 fullerene (sometimes called a buckeyball) is 0.7 nm. A significant point to derive from this comparison is that a nanoparticle is considerably smaller than a red blood cell and that red blood cells move freely throughout the circulatory system of the human body from the arteries to the capillaries (Aftanski 2005). Opportunities brought about by nanotechnology There is wide agreement and expectation that nanotechnology will be the next industrial revolution and the key to tomorrow that gives huge opportunities as well as massive applications. There is noteworthy government investment and worldwide attention on nanotechnology. Although there are conflicts and differences about the definition of what nanotechnology is; the widest definition is engineered structures, devices and systems that have a length of 1-100 nanometers. This is the juncture that allows the substances to begin showing distinct properties and influence their physical, chemical and biological behavior . This field is vital in most of the technologies that depend on this process which take place at nanometer scale. These include carbon tubes, titanium dioxide, silicon/germanium, calcium oxide based materials, metal-cored coated particles and proteins / DNA. Nanotechnology has several applications (Figure 1) and products that are sub-dividend into three categories. These are: 1. Bottom up. In this category atoms or molecules are allowed to grow through self assembly into large structures. 2. Top down, whereby bulk materials are reduced in size to produce nanometer-scale particles which are systematically inserted into larger structures or are used as admixture to other materials. 3. Self-assembly components spontaneously assemble frequently by moving in a solution or gas phase. Until a stable structure of minimum energy is reached. The commonest known nanofactory to human kind is a living cell. Nanotechnology is currently used in electronic, magnetic, optoelectronic, biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, energy, catalytic and materials industries. The greatest revenues for nanoparticles include chemical & mechanical polishing, magnetic recording tapes, sunscreens, automotive catalyst supports, biolabelling, electroconductive coatings and optical fibers. They are also used in medical fields in helping in drug delivery and medical imaging. It is also projected that nanotechnology will contribute to new cancer therapies. In Artificial intelligence , nanorobots and self assembly is also expected to increase in the near future.

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Figure 1

Challenges introduced by nanotechnology Because of their very small size and large surface area, engineered nanomaterials present certain Safety, Health and Environmental hazards, which are unknown with non-nanomaterials (Figure 2). The concern is that nanomaterials are being used in products or are being considered for other uses without a clear perspective on the Safety, Health and Environmental impact of such uses (Knowles 2006). At the nanoscale, the laws of physics, biology and chemistry merge and the behavior of these small particles changes, such as their mobility in the environment, reactivity, toxicity and ability to enter the human body (Hett 2004).Notwithstanding the bright
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future promised by nanotechnology, there are issues that accompany this technology that raise serious concern about the health and safety aspect of the nanoparticles that has not been fully studied. However, this should not deter any progress in this field as there are many human problems that can be solved using this technology such as environmental issues. There are at least six hundred types of businesses that invest in nanotechnology in which most are small and medium enterprises specially the ones being established currently. Multiple issues face this industry as there are huge gaps in knowledge, resources that can enable these establishments to deal with the nanotechnology environmental health and safety issues at the work places. (Lekas, Lifeset and Rejeski 2006). Figure 2

Dealing with environmental health and safety issues accrued from nanotechnology is complex and not an easy task (Hull 2007). Many organizations in nanotechnology have no clarity on the present regulations set by the federal and state government on environmental health and safety. This comes as studies reveal that the toxic substances control act, resource conservation and recovery act among others have a direct mandate on the nanotechnology (Hull 2007).

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Nanoparticles can enter human body through several paths that include inhalation into the blood stream through the lungs, digestive track,and the blood brain barrier(Capello 2005). There are more than two million nanotechnology workers exposed to these particles every day and this number may more than double as more people venture into businesses worldwide. There are many effects of nanoparticles exposure and lack of comprehensive research in this field makes it hard to accurately realize the extent of the effects. Some of the effects include inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact and there is minimal data on the common exposure routes. In addressing health and environmental impacts related to nanomaterials, there is a need to separate the two types of nanostructures that are: a) Nanocomposites: Nanostructure surfaces and nanocomponents such as electronic, optical and sensors among others. In this category, nanoscale particles are incorporated into a substance, material or device. b) Free nanoparticles where in certain stages of production or use, nanoparticles of a substance are present. These could be nanoscale species of elements or simple compounds, but also complex compounds which may be coated. Nanotoxicology Recent studies by the National Science Foundation and the US Environmental Protection Agency identified several critical risk assessment issues touching on manufactured nanoparticles. These include exposure assessment of manufactured nanoparticles, toxicology of manufactured nanoparticles, ability to extrapolate manufactured nanoparticle toxicity using existing particle and fiber toxicology databases, environmental and biological outcome, transport, persistence and transformation of manufactured nanoparticles as well as recyclability and overall sustainability of manufactured nanomaterials (Dreher 2003). A great concern of nanoparticles is their inability to always be detected after their release into the environment, potentially creating difficulties in creation of remedy where need be. There are nanoparticles that accrue from manufacturing industries such as carbon nanotubes, combustion derived nanoparticles such as diesel soot and naturally occurring nanoparticles such as volcanic eruptions and atmospheric chemistry. Such may lead to inflammatory diseases affecting lung tissues, liver, skin, gut, blood or brain. a. Biodistribution: It is not clear yet how the nanoparticles behave inside the body among many scientists. Their behavior is a total sum of their size, shape and surface reactivity with the surrounding tissues. However, it is suggested that these particles may overload the bodys phagocytes triggering stress reactions and hence leading to immunesuppression. There are issues raised on non-degradable nanoparticles accumulate into the organs of the body and interference of various biological processes. Nanotechnology materials have the unique capability of penetrating cell membranes into the cells, organs and tissues owing to their size (Holsapple et al 2005). Once into the body, they are toxic to the body altering several functions such as increasing the rates of oxidation, inflammation and eventually cell death (Oberdorster et al 2005). Further studies show that these particles may lead to DNA mutation

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and cause major destructions to the structures of the cell such as mitochondria and others; such issues are fatal as they result to cell death (Porter et al 2007). National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) conducted a study in 2009 on workers exposed to aerosols of some manufactured or coincidental microscopic and nanoscale particles which showed adverse lung effects that comprised lung function decrement and obstructive and fibrotic lung diseases. Such impacts according to NIOSH are uncertain in their implications. Recently, a study revealed that the large surface area of the nanoparticles compared to their volume makes a person come into contact with huge number of the nanoparticles compared to other larger particles (Empa 2011). b. Nanopollution: Nanogeneric devices and the process of nano-manufacturing releases wastes which may be very catastrophic because of its size. It is able to be suspended into the air, can easily penetrate animal and plant cell with unknown effects. Scientists observed that socks coated with nanosilver although marked as non odor forming and saving many people the embarrassment of smelling feet had some effects on the environment. When these socks were soaked in water, six types of them were found to leach silver particles into the distilled water. However, there were varied levels of silver released into the water drawing attention over the method and quality of the manufacturing process. This study raised concerns over the release of silver into the ecosystems through waste waters. A committee was formed in 2007 to discuss and gain better comprehension of the upcoming nanotechnology sector. The committee constituted Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Department of Public Health (DPH), Division of Occupational Safety (DOS), Office of Technical Assistance (OTA), and Office of Business Development (MOBD). Each of these agencies had distinct authority and brought different versions of interests to the committee (Marriott, Marlborough and Massachusetts 2007). Such multi-sectoral approaches are able to shed more light into the opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology. Center for Disease Control (CDC) clearly stated that workers are at the first risk to nanotechnology health and safety risks. These have a higher potential to be exposed to unique engineered materials with novel sizes, shapes, and physical and chemical and biological behavior properties. It is surprising that occupational health risks associated with manufacturing and using nanomaterials are not well comprehended with limited information available. NIOSH, the leading federal agency in conducting research on occupational health safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology, identified ten critical areas that can help in addressing the existing knowledge gaps, develop strategies and provide recommendations. Such moves are more than welcome owing to the unprecedented spread of nanotechnology worldwide. These key areas include:

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1. Toxicity and determination of the physical and chemical properties such as size, shape an solubility that play a role in influencing the toxicity of the nanoparticles; evaluation of short-term to long term posed by these particles on the organs and cells.; determining biological mechanism for potential toxic effects; and this data will help in creation and integration of models that will aid in assessing the potential hazards. 2. Risk assessment. This involves determining the likelihood that present exposure. Response data can be used to identify and assess potential occupation hazards. This is followed by creation of a framework for evaluating potential hazards and predicting potential occupation risks of exposure to nanomaterials. 3. Measurement methods. This included evaluating the methods of measuring mass of particles in the air that can be inhaled and develop methods that can accurately measure the airborne nanomaterials in the work place and also compare and validate the sampling instruments. 4. Exposure assessment that focused on determining factors that influence the production, spread and accumulation and re-entry of nanomaterials into work places. Assessment of possible exposure once these material are inhaled or stick on the skin.Differentiate various work places and magnitudes of exposure and finally assess the impacts of these nanomaterials on the body. 5. The other key ingredient and focus was identifying the uses of nanotechnology for application in occupational safety and health as well as evaluate and disseminate effective applications to workers and occupational safety and health professionals. Nonetheless, even with many committees being formed, the dangers posed by nanotechnology especially to industry workers are real and require keen and urgent attention. Questions over the ability of these methods to mitigate any harmful exposures will most often go unanswered owing to the unavailability of accurate and sufficient data and information regarding the impacts of nanotechnology on human and environment. Much debates and speculations currently fill the air among many scientists and scholars while at the same time nanotechnology spreads like bush fire across the different continents of the world. How protective is protective equipment in nanotechnology With huge uncertainties that follow this field, serious issues arise as to the effectiveness of the protective equipments. There are concerns over the lack of regulation touching on nanotechnology, exposing many workers to uncertain dangers. It is interesting to note that there is only a voluntary guideline issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to industries regarding nanotechnology (Ronallo 2011). There are many procedures needed to develop and implement a nano-specific regulatory structure. That includes a proper definition of what nanotechnology /engineered nanomaterials are, identification of nanoproducts in the market and those already in the manufacturing processes. There is still a long way to go to ensure workplace safety and health for the workers in nanotechnology industries. Many companies had monitoring services that evaluate the work place areas but significantly lack the
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mechanisms for dealing with potential contamination. Some of them used simple methods like sweeping and vacuuming as protective measures. These methods are detrimental in that they disperse the nanoparticles into the air putting many more people at risk instead of cleaning them up. There is a wide recognition and call for clear regulations and protection of both workers and consumers of nanoproducts world wide. Many companies are putting their workforce at greater risks by doing almost nothing to ensure the protection of their staffs. Studies conducted by University of California on 78 international industries that worked with nanoparticles found out that most of these companies were uncertain on the right way to handle these nanoparticles, protect their workers, dispose the wastes among other vitally important things in terms of environmental protection and conservation. Less than 50 % of the industries studied had no specific protective program that directly handles nanoparticles. Most of them had vague guidelines and protection measures. Although the governments are putting guidelines to encourage industries to regulate themselves, there are huge knowledge and information gaps that limit the ability of the government agencies to exert proper control of the safety of the workers in these industries from nanoparticles or even the consumers of the nanoproducts. Most of the nanomaterial applications are classified as confidential business information while the ones reaching publics attention have little testing by regulatory authorities for human health, safety and environmental effects (Ronallo 2011). A study of forty companies carried out in Switzerland and Germany revealed that over 67% lacked mechanisms and did not conduct any risk assessment on their nanomaterial and very few put focus on the issues that may affect the end users of these products as well as the workers exposure (Helland et al 2008). The United States Department of Labor concurs that workers who use nanomaterials in research or production processes may be exposed to nanoparticles through inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion. This depends on how the employees handle and use the nanomaterial and if there are proper protective equipments to shield them from the harmful exposure. Precisely, workers in these places face nanotoxicity depending on the physical and chemical properties of the particle. Recently, a clinical study pointed out that long term exposure to nanoparticles may lead to human toxicity. There are records of seven female Chinese workers who were diagnosed with unusual and progressive lung damage and later two of these workers passed away owing to the lung damage (Maynard 2009). All of them worked in a facility spraying a polycyclic ester paste onto polystyrene substrate that was then heat cured. This work took place in an area with poor ventilation. Also, there is evidence that five month before the lung disease was identified; the local exhaust ventilation had broken down and did not undergo any kind of repair. The patents suffered from shortness of breath and excessive liquid in the cavity that surrounds the lungs. Tests on the lung tissues showed non-specific inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, and foreign body granulomas of the pleura. Five of the patients were found to have pericardial effusions, which in simple terms means -excessive liquid around the heart (Maynard 2009). Most of the studies are challenged by lack of sufficient data on the nature or magnitude of exposure in work places and although many industries may take advantage of this confusion, there is a fundamental responsibility to protect and sustain basic human rights such as right to life.
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Governments and government agencies through restrictive budgetary allocations have failed to keep in pace with the high speed growth of nanotechnology and owing to the fact that industries will always act in self preservation interests, more damage may be done before reality fully sets in. Institutional failure has seen regulatory demands being left to individual industries to monitor the exposures and impacts of nanotechnology effects among other things. Conflicts over threats posed by nanotechnology To some extent, it is believed that currently there are no threats posed by nanotechnology that warrant any form of regulation or attention (Shalleck 2006). In addition, nanotechnology industry is under self- regulating control with enough government regulations and supervision that enables it to progress safely and friendly to the environment. However, it will be correct to say that private ventures are instituted with the motive of making maximum profit under minimal costs (Shalleck 2006). There has never been an institution that sustainably monitored itself in matters that require restrained exploitation of resources. It should also be noted that nobody has ever washed a hired vehicle, past events have made it clear that without serious government involvement in terms of research and financing the institutions in place, more people will be affected by the nanoparticles especially in the work places. There are calls by various stakeholders to rise up with independent and authoritative information on the risks of nanotechnology and how these risks can be mitigated; otherwise speculations may lead to decline in the development and advancement of nanotechnology. There are some tangible efforts beginning to emerge among the scientists, government and research organizations on ways to minimize the risks posed by the nanotechnology without jeopardizing their ability to continually offer valuable services to humanity and environment. Even in the presence of the commitments and efforts that may support risk focused research, opportunities to establish collaborative, integrated and targeted research programs are being missed(Maynard et al 2006). Moreover, it is sure that whereas fears over nanotechnology work place risks may be way too high exaggerated, but they are not unfounded(Maynard et al 2006). Though there are wide agreements on the potential harmful effects of the nanomaterials to human and environment especially workers in these industries, research into this field attracts little funding as well as less priority from the intellectual property and technology development. Notwithstanding the challenges posed by the nanotechnology, there is a little focus on how the risks are handled and mitigated. Without much strategic and targeted risk studies, people working in nanotechnology industries and the consumers of these goods could develop unanticipated illness owing to exposure(Maynard et al 2006). While this may not be a huge issue now to the law makers and industries, such effects may have future negative effects on the nanotechnology good where their demand may go low due to losses in consumer confidence. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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It is clear that nanotechnology is as young and hence not much is known about it. There is however, a great challenge to see to it that companies and industries come up with strategies to implement rational risk control measures that can protect the workers in this field. Nanotechnology has drawn many comparisons with asbestos that caused diseases as nothing much of them were known, the similarity between asbestos and nanotechnology is the fact that they both are in the range of nanosize. It is significant to note that nanotechnology has made huge progress over the last two years and researches have led to discoveries of more nanotechnology applications and produce revenue of over USD $1.1 Trillion worth of products in 2007 (David and Judy 2008). Legislative and institutional framework However, there are currently no regulations at the federal government level in the United States over nanotechnology handling although there are minor steps being taken by the local and state governments. The existing regulations set by the government agencies on the other hand face several limitations as their enforcement is limited. There is a definite need for the physicians and health and safety developments to keep up-to-date records on the toxicology reports in the nanotechnology industry. There is a need to look beyond the industry and company boundaries and follow these nanomaterials at the consumer levels as well as their release into the environment.There is a whole lot of dollars devoted towards nanotech research in terms of widening their applications and very little attention is given to safety and environmental concerns on this area of technology. This calls for a paradigm shift on the interests of technology to more holistic approaches that will sustainably improve the quality of life on planet earth. There are many issues and threats that currently face the world wide ecosystem as well as local ecosystems. It has been proven that nanoparticles degrade at much slower and can easily move from organs into the blood stream and finally into the brain, thus creating an environmental as well as a toxicity issue. Research Priority & Collaboration Safety research in the field of nanotechnology is limited by lack of coordination and research prioritization, which has resulted in very less awareness on nanotechnology and its potential negative impacts. There is a need for genuine government and industry commitment to spend and disseminate knowledge regarding the real threats posed by this future technology. There is a need for industries to ensure their workers are fully protected from harmful exposure when handling nanomaterials. However, this can only be done when there are collaborated efforts from all stakeholders to help take informed decisions and progress with safer workplace practices. REFERENCES 1. Aftanski, B.G.; Nanotechnologies: What are they and what are the hazards that safety professionals will need to assess, evaluate and control; RMN Insight; 2007; Vol. 7. No. 2 2. Cappello, J. ; Overview of nanotechnology: Risks, initiatives & standardization; RMN Insight; 2007; Vol. 7. No. 2

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3. Center for Disease Control;Nanotechnology- Overview; 2010; Available at http:// www.cdc.gov/ niosh/topics/ nanotech 4. David K. & Judy S.; Nanocommentary: Occupational and environmental health and nanotechnologywhat's new?; Oxford journals;2008;454-455;available at http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/58/7/454.full 5. Empa; How Safe Is Nano? Nanotoxicology: An interdisciplinary challenge; Science Daily ;1 Feb. 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201132521 6. Holsapple, Michael P et al; Research Strategies for Safety Evaluation of Nanomaterials, Part II: Toxicological and Safety Evaluation of Nanomaterials, Current Challenges and Data Needs. Toxicological Sciences;2005; 88 (1): 127. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfi293. PMID 16120754. 7. Helland A. et al; Risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials: a survey of industrial approaches.; Environmental Science &Technology; 2006; p 640-646 8. IRSST. (2006, Aug.). Health effects of nanoparticles. 9. Kulinowski K.; Nanotechnology: From wow to yuck?; Bulletin of Science, Technology, & Society;2004; Pgs. 1520. 10. Knowles, E.E. III. (2006, March). Nanotechnology: Evolving occupational safety, health and environmental issues. Professional Safety. 11. Maynard D. A. ;Safe handling of nanotechnology; International weekly journal of science; 2006; Nature 444; 267-269 (16 November 2006);doi:10.1038/444267a; Published online 15 November 2006 12. NIOSH. (2007, Feb.). Progress toward safe nanotechnology in the workplace.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/default.html 13. Oberdrster, Gnter; et al ; Principles for characterizing the potential human health effects from exposure to nanomaterials: elements of a screening strategy. Particle and Fibre Toxicology;2005; 2: 8. doi:10.1186/17438977-2-8. PMC 1260029. PMID 16209704.;Available at http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1260029. 14. Porter, Alexandra E et al ; Visualizing the Uptake of C60 to the Cytoplasm and Nucleus of Human MonocyteDerived Macrophage Cells Using Energy-Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy and Electron Tomography. Environmental Science & Technology;2007; 41 (8): 30127 15. Ranallo A. (2011) Lack of nanotechnology regulation a danger to human health, environment; Institute of Agriculture and Trade policy, Rapid commercialization continues while dearth of information, testing keeps regulators, consumers in the dark. Accesses on 16th Nov, 2011 at http://www.iatp.org/documents/lack-ofnanotechnology-regulation-a-danger-to-human-health-environment 16. Shaw , G.K. ; Survey Shows Confusion On Protecting Nano Workers; New haven independent;2011;Available at http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/ survey_shows_confusion_on_protecting_nano_workers/id_39859
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17. Shalleck, A.B; Distinguishing Fact from Story in Nanotechnology Safety; 2006; Available at

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