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Concerns have been raised about whether workers exposed to engineered nanoparticles are at increased risk of adverse health effects. The current body of evidence about the possible health risks of occupational exposure to engineered nanoparticles is quite small. While there is increasing evidence to indicate that exposure to some engineered nanoparticles can cause adverse health effects in laboratory animals, no health studies of workers exposed to the few engineered nanoparticles tested in animals have been published. The purpose of this document from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to provide interim guidance about whether specific medical screening, including performing medical tests on asymptomatic workers, is appropriate for these workers. Medical screening is only one part of what should be considered a complete safety and health management program. An ideal safety and health management program follows a hierarchy of controls and involves various occupational health surveillance measures. Since specific medical screening of asymptomatic workers exposed to engineered nanoparticles has not been extensively discussed in the scientific literature, this document makes recommendations based upon what is known until more rigorous research can be performed. Currently there is insufficient scientific and medical evidence to recommend the specific medical screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles. Nonetheless, this lack of evidence does not preclude specific medical screening by employers interested in taking precautions beyond existing industrial hygiene measures. If nanoparticles are composed of a chemical or bulk material for which medical screening recommendations exist, these same screening recommendations would be applicable for workers exposed to engineered nanoparticles as well. As research into the hazards of engineered nanoparticles continues, vigilant reassessment of available data is critical to
This document provides interim guidance on medical screening and hazard surveillance for workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles. Given the limited current evidence on the health risks of occupational exposure to these materials, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) addresses the appropriateness of specific medical tests for asymptomatic workers. It emphasizes that medical screening is part of a broader safety and health management program that includes a hierarchy of controls and occupational health surveillance measures.
This guidance document from NIOSH addresses the emerging concern of worker exposure to engineered nanoparticles. It acknowledges the limited scientific literature on the topic and therefore provides interim recommendations based on current knowledge. The document stresses that specific medical screening for asymptomatic workers is not currently recommended due to insufficient evidence, but it also notes that employers may wish to take additional precautions. It highlights that if nanoparticles are composed of known hazardous materials, existing screening protocols for those materials would apply.
Page Count:
36
Publication Date:
2013-10-19
Publisher:
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN-10:
1493529587
ISBN-13:
9781493529582
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