Author:
James J. A. Mulhall
February 24, 2010
NIOSH ACCEPTS PUBLIC COMMENT ON REPORT CONCERNING ASBESTOS FIBERS AND NANO PARTICLES
The Federal Government continues to study occupational health issues related to asbestos fibers and other particles, including nano particles. (Nano particles are extremely small materials that are used in a wide array of materials.)
More specifically, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is accepting public comment about its January 2010 report entitled "NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin - Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongate Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research - Version 4." The key issues of the proposed research involve: (1) the fiber size of asbestos and its chemical composition that may be important for considering possible pathological impairment; (2) development of a deeper understanding of whether certain other materials, such as nano particles, can cause toxicity; and (3) development of analytical methods for quantifying airborne exposures to certain particles. NIOSH acknowledges that to begin addressing these issues, assistance will be needed from various study groups and other federal agencies.
Click here to obtain the NIOSH draft report
Public comment concerning the draft report must be received by NIOSH by April 16, 2010.