Developing a nanotechnology risk assessment program

The objective of this presentation will be to present the results of a risk ranking of engineered nanomaterial (EN) laboratories from a campus-wide survey at MIT and detail the assessment and design work we have done in a particular carbon nanotube laboratory. In association with an annual chemical inventory update, the MIT EHS Office sent out a request to all laboratories to report on type of EN in use, their size and physical state, and a brief description of how and where they are used. A team of industrial hygienists evaluated about 80 EN use forms and classified the activities as low, medium or high risk of exposure. The types of EN in use in the labs as well as the methods used to classify the exposure potential will be described. About 20 per cent of the labs were classified as potential high risk and follow-up with them indicated more information on health effects and controls is needed by researchers. A web course on EN is being developed to address these needs and a follow-up survey is planned for next year. Along with the survey, the EHS Office worked with potential high risk laboratories to measure exposures and select and develop engineering controls. Evaluation of activities in a material science laboratory allowed joint publications with the principal investigator addressing occupational exposure risks. This collaborative work led the department to fund a second generation laboratory with improved controls that will be described.