Transcript Industrial Nanotechnolgy - Calcupa

CUPA, The Next Generation
Nanotechnology: Impacts on Business Plans
& Worker Health & Safety
Industrial Use & Issues
John McCabe
AECOM Environment
January 27, 2009
[email protected]
Here today - Gone tomorrow?
In a study of the potential economic impact by
the emerging technology research and advisory
firm, Lux Research
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it was reported that nanotechnology was
incorporated into $13 billion worth of products in
the global marketplace in 2004.
The study projects that by 2014 this number will
increase to $2.6 trillion and 15% of all products
will incorporate nanomaterials.
NM are in the Big League
Richard Booker, Earl Boysen 2005
Industrial Uses are Increasing
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800 to 1000 products
From Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies; established in April 2005. Partnership between Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars and Pew Charitable Trusts (www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer)
Nanomaterial Products Are Growing in Volume
Dermatone
SPF 20
Natural
Formula
TiO2
Eddie Bauer
Ruston Fit
Nano-Tex
Khakis
Curad Silver Bandages
Nanobattery
Samsung Clothes Washer
with Silver Nano
Nanosolar’s
PowerSheet
NANO B-12
Vitamin Spray
Hummer
H2
NASA's Emulsified
Zero-Valent Iron
Industrial Uses of NM
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Manufacturing of Nanomaterials
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Typically synthesized in enclosed reactors or
glove boxes
Chemical Process
 Synthesis of quantum dots using chemical
solutions to produce colloidal particles
Mechanical Process
Currently expensive materials typically in
small volumes
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Expected to increase!
 2,300 tons/yr in 2009
 58,000 tons/yr by 2020
(Maynard 2006)
Risks?
What Risks?
NanoMaterial Issues
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Storage and Handling Issues
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Oxidation, Reactions
Fire/Explosion
Industrial Hygiene and PPE Use
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Skin, Inhalation,
Environmental Contamination
Issues if Released
Emergency Response
Occupational Concerns
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Extent and impact of worker exposures to NM
Effectiveness of personal protective equipment
to minimize/eliminate NM exposures
Difficulties in monitoring workplace exposures
 Small size of NM
 Limited protocols and methodologies
Fire and explosion hazards
Catalytic potential of NM
Implement Handling Practices
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Industry practices vary
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Some align with Biosafety and Control Banding
Practices
 Identify types of chemicals/material classes and
specific handling requirements
 Oversight Committee
Engineering Controls utilized in
 Fume hoods
 Glove boxes and bags
 Heating, Ventilation, & air conditioning systems
 Cleanrooms
 Closed Piping Systems under vacuum
Fire or Explosion Potentials
Ventilation
Mfg Process
Release of NM
Suspension/Aerosols
Environment
Explosion or Fire
Work Methods
Sources of Ignition
Substance
Characteristics
C. Ostiguy, et. al. NANA 2008
Environmental Concerns for NM
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Water/soil contamination from
improper disposal
Disposition and fate after
product use and disposal
Degradation products
Potential for accumulation in
food chain
Limited environmental testing
data available
NanoMaterial Information
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Can be limited due to
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R&D/Patent Issues
Secure Environments (Los Alamos)
MSDS for NM typically report health
effects of micron sized materials
NM may be used in small amounts
or considered nonhazardous and not
subject to reporting under Business
Plan Inventories
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not distinguished from larger sized
particles – ex. Al or Fe
Nanomaterial Storage
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Nanomaterials may require specific
storage requirements
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Moisture content in air may be enough to
start a reaction
Aluminum – use a nitrogen blanket to store
 Humidity level and Static electricity (<2.5
joules) can cause reactions
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Ni, Cu, and Mn or Fe
Oxidize materials before shipment to help
reduce potential for reactions
Fire Response Strategies
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Want to review response strategies
when dealing with NM
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Don’t use that ABC fire extinguisher
Blowing oxygen on the fire
 Use sand instead to remove oxygen
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Don’t want to aerosolize materials
Prevent mixing of potentially reactive
or catalytic materials
Emergency Response Issues Example
AECOM Toxicology Lab (Englewood, Colo)
o Work with zero-valent Iron (Fe)
o Conducted material tests; put on shelf for 2-3
months. Sealed metal container with approximately
1-liter of zero-valent Fe.
o Noticed container bulge from over-pressure
 Evacuated area and ER team responded
 Follow-up review:
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MSDS downplayed the generation of hydrogen, and did
not explicitly state that this could pose an "explosion"
hazard.
Not provided any information from the manufacturer
regarding holding times for the material.
With no prior material experience; assumed was pretty
benign (iron and water, no big deal?).
Emergency Response Issues Example
Military University of Technology, Warsaw
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Graduate student working on nanomaterial
explosives
Reaction occurred and reportedly lost hands and
an eye in explosion.
Information on specifics and cause not available
Accident involved nanostructured explosive
materials (point detonants?)
The explosion did not cause a fire, and no one
else injured
[Feb. 14: Military University of Technology, Warsaw]
Emergency Response Issues
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When entering a facility, is the
responder aware of nanomaterials
on site?
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How much, types?
Information in Business Plan?
Correct extinguishing media?
Exposure from Spills?
Waste from cleanup?
Operational Review
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Contact NM manufacturers and
users to get first hand review of
industrial uses and issues
Future for Nanotechnology?
Regulatory
Compliance
Environmental
Impacts
Occupational
Exposure Concerns
Human Health/
Consumer Concerns
Numerous
Applications for NM
Acknowledgements
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Dr, Brenda Barry, Senior Director, Long-Term Research
Projects, American Chemistry Council;
Terry Medley, Esq., Global Director of Corporate
Regulatory Affairs, DuPont Environmental and Sustainable
Growth Center
Dr. Steven Oldenberg, Nanocomposix Inc.
Dr. Jeff Wong, Cal-EPA
Dr. Doug Carpenter, Quantum Sphere Inc.
A host of others!
Hallock, M.; Potential Risks of Nanomaterials and how to safely handle materials of
uncertain toxicity, J. Chem Health Safety (2008), doi: 10.1016/j.jchas.2008.04.001
2009, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies; www.nanotechproject.org
Ostiguy, Claude, et. al; Safe Work with Nanoparticles through an Occupational Risk
Management approach and a prevention program; Proceedings of the IASTED
International Conference, NANA 2008