Nanotechnology

The Nanotechnology Information Library (NIL)

NIOSH is working with its national and international partners to develop a web-based Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL). The goal of the NIL is to help occupational health professionals, industrial users, worker groups, and researchers organize and share information on nanomaterials, including their health and safety-associated properties.

The information that NIOSH has incorporated into the searchable online database includes:

• Nanomaterial composition
  
  
• Method of production
  
  
• Particle size, surface area, and morphology (included scanning, transmission, or other electron micrographic images)
  
  
• Demonstrated or intended applications of the nanomaterial
  
  
• Availability for research or commercial applications
  
  
• Associated or relevant publications
  
  
• Points of contact for additional details or partnering
  
  

NIOSH has released this resource in prototype form for public review and comment.

Go to the Nanoparticle Information Library 

NIL Background

Information concerning nanoparticles to which workers may be exposed, including the associated physical and chemical characteristics of those particles, is of major interest to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH is being asked for guidance on the safe handling of nanomaterial, so we are initiating new research to develop the scientific basis for such guidance.

The Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL) was developed as part of the new NIOSH research focus on nanotechnology and occupational health. The goal of this tool is to help organize and share information on nanomaterials and their associated properties. It is intended to meet the global needs of researchers, industrial users, and occupational health professionals and will include data such as material properties, origin/synthesis methods and information for contacting people who are developing nanomaterials. Users have the option to submit data for inclusion in the database, and it is expected to become part of a global hub for sharing information. As the world inventory of nanomaterials increases, it will provide a mechanism for cataloging new materials and eventually integrating that information with other data sources such as surveillance and toxicology studies of nanomaterials. It will provide a snapshot of global activities and will optimally keep pace with the rapid developments in this expanding field. It is expected to positively impact the course of future research, especially in regard to the health and safety of workers.

The current hosting, administration, and maintenance of the NIL web resource outside of the CDC/NIOSH website is being conducted by Oregon State University (OSU) in conjunction with it's program to characterize nanomaterials. Provision of this web resource by NIOSH and the hosting of this web resource by OSU does not constitute endorsement of the views expressed or an endorsement or recommendation of specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company mentioned. Data are for testing and demonstration purposes only. The opinions and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of NIOSH or OSU. The U.S. Government does not warrant or assume legal responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information and data presented on this website. Some links provided go to web sites outside of CDC/NIOSH or OSU and should not be considered as an official endorsement or verification of the accuracy of their content. Users are subject to the privacy policies of those sites.