[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15985-15986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7941]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Docket Number NIOSH-161]
Request for Information on Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) Including
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Multi-Walled Carbon
Nanotubes (MWCNTs)
AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of public comment period.
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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends
to evaluate the scientific data on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and develop
appropriate communication documents, such as an Alert and/or Current
Intelligence Bulletin, which will convey the potential health risks and
recommend measures for the safe handling of these materials. NIOSH has
developed guidelines for managing the potential health concerns
associated with occupational exposures to engineered nanoparticles
[see: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/safenano/] which will
provide the framework for developing specific recommendations for CNTs.
NIOSH is requesting information on the following: (1) Published and
unpublished reports and findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity
studies with CNTs, (2) information on possible health effects observed
in workers exposed to CNTs, (3) information on workplaces and products
in which CNTs can be found, (4) description of work tasks and scenarios
with a potential for exposure, (5) workplace exposure data, and (6)
information on control measures (e.g., engineering controls, work
practices, personal protective equipment) that are being used in
workplaces where potential exposures to CNTs occur.
Public Comment Period: Comments must be received by May 15, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number NIOSH-
161, by any of the following methods:
Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories,
MS-C34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
Facsimile: (513) 533-8285.
E-mail: [email protected].
All information received in response to this notice will be
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket
Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. A complete
electronic docket containing all comments submitted will be available
on the NIOSH Web page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and comments
will be available in writing by request. NIOSH includes all comments
received without change in the docket, including any personal
information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph D. Zumwalde, NIOSH, Robert A.
Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226,
telephone (513) 533-8320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nanotechnology is generally defined as the
intentional manipulation of matter to form novel structures with one or
more dimension or features less than 100 nanometers (nm).
Nanotechnology involves a wide range of chemistries and almost
unlimited types of structures that have highly unpredictable
interactions with biological systems. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a
type of nanomaterial comprised of a sheet of graphite (a hexagonal
lattice of carbon) rolled into a cylinder that can have a length-to-
width ratio greater than 1,000. Carbon nanotubes are produced having a
single cylinder carbon wall (single-walled carbon nanotubes [SWCNT]) or
having multiple walls-cylinders nested within other cylinders (multi-
walled carbon nanotubes [MWCNT]). CNTs range in diameter from about 1-2
nanometers for SWCNTs to dozens of nanometers for MWCNTs with lengths
extending into the micrometer range.
There are several major techniques used in the synthesis of CNTs.
The arc-evaporation technique involves passing a current of about 50 A
between two graphite electrodes in an atmosphere of helium in the
presence of metal catalysts (Co, Ni). The second method is chemical
vapor deposition, where nanotubes are formed by decomposition of a
carbon-containing gas with use of nano-sized catalytic particles
usually Fe, Co, Yt or Ni. The advantage of catalytic synthesis over
arc-evaporation is the ability to scale-up for volume production. The
third method for making CNTs, laser ablation, involves employment of a
powerful laser to vaporize metal (Co and Ni)-graphite targets. Of the
three major processes, chemical vapor deposition is the most prominent
one that is currently used for CNT production.
Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, CNTs have
sparked much research into developing novel applications. CNTs are
ideal non-biodegradable materials; they are stronger then steel,
flexible, lightweight, heat resistant, and have high electrical
conductivity. The market for CNTs is estimated to grow substantially
over the next decade. They are currently used in a variety of
applications including: Electronics, reinforced plastics, micro-
fabrication conjugated polymer activators, biosensors, enhanced
electron/scanning microscopy imaging techniques, and in pharmaceutical/
biomedical devices for drug delivery and medical diagnostics. Estimates
of the number of workers potentially exposed to CNTs are unavailable
due to limited exposure data and its relatively recent introduction
into domestic commerce.
The toxic nature of SWCNTs and MWCNTs in humans is not known.
Recently published in vitro and in vivo studies with some SWCNTs and
MWCNTs describe adverse effects including their ability to be cytotoxic
when tested in various cell cultures, and cause acute inflammation and
early onset of fibrosis when delivered to the lungs of mice by
pharyngeal aspiration or inhalation. No occupational exposure limits
for CNTs have been established by NIOSH or the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA).
NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, including published and
unpublished reports and research findings, to evaluate the possible
health risks of occupational exposure to CNTs. Examples of requested
information include, but not limited to, the following: (1)
Identification of industries or occupations in which exposures to CNTs
may occur.
(2) Trends in the production and use of CNTs.
(3) Description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for
exposure to CNTs.
(4) Workplace exposure measurement data in various types of
industries and jobs.
(5) Case reports or other health information demonstrating
potential health effects in workers exposed to CNTs.
(6) Research findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies.
[[Page 15986]]
(7) Information on control measures (e.g., engineering controls,
work practices, PPE) being taken to minimize worker exposure to CNTs.
Dated: March 31, 2009.
James D. Seligman,
Chief Information Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-7941 Filed 4-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P