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Monday, June 13, 2011

New Nano Titanium Dioxide Exposure Limit - NIOSH

A recently released NIOSH guidance document (NIOSH, 2011) on handling titanium dioxide (TiO2) powders in the workplace generated a high level of interest as it put forward an innovative approach that might have implications beyond TiO2. Specifically it may be the first document to recommend separate occupational exposure limits for the same material based on particle size.
This document signifies increasing attention to evaluating and mitigating risks of emerging hazards in the workplace before adverse health effects occur in workers and could proactively be used for how other poorly soluble, low toxicity (PSLT) particles are controlled in the workplace.

NIOSH also has a draft Current Intelligence Bulletin,"Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers" - NIOSH Docket Number: NIOSH 161-A. This draft bulletin summarizes the adverse respiratory health effects that have been observed in laboratory animal studies with single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and CNF and provides recommendations for the safe handling of these materials.

These documents are indicating that are going in the direction of separate regulation based on size. Whether TSCA adopts this view is yet to be seen.
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