Nanotechnology: Guidelines for Safe Research Practices

Required: The PI must provide appropriate, rigorous, and documented safety training.

• Instruct employees about the hazards and risks of handling nanoparticles and how to protect themselves. Ensure that:
  • A safety protocol is written into the research procedure
  • Safety Data Sheets (formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets), the manufacturer's handling instructions, and UC San Diego standard operating procedures are carefully read
    • Note: Given the lack of extensive data on nanoparticles, Safety Data Sheet information may be more applicable to the properties of the bulk material.
• Inform employees about the 4 possible routes of workplace exposure to nanoparticles:
  • Inhalation: Because of their tiny size, certain nanoparticles appear to penetrate deep into the lungs and may translocate to other organs following pathways not demonstrated in studies with larger particles.
  • Ingestion: Once ingested, some types of nanoparticles might be absorbed and transported within the body by the circulatory system.
  • Injection: Accidental injection or skin puncture is a potential route of exposure, especially when working with animals or needles.
  • Skin absorption: In some cases, nanoparticles have been shown to migrate through the skin and circulate in the body. If the particle is carcinogenic or allergenic, even tiny quantities may be biologically significant.
• Provide and train employees in the correct use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls. Find these topics in other sections of this page below:
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Control the hazards
• Make sure everyone understands what to do in case of emergency. See:
  • Emergency Guide
  • Exposure response (below)
• Ensure that employees who work with reactive nanoparticles complete fire extinguisher training. See:
  • Fire Extinguisher Training
  • How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
• Keep training records that include:
  • Topics covered
  • Materials distributed
  • Date
  • Employee names
  • Employee signatures

Evaluate the hazards before beginning work:

• Consult safety resources:
  • Safety Data Sheets (formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets)
    • Note: In some cases, the manufacture of nanomaterials involves hazardous or toxic chemicals. Consider the hazards of precursor materials when evaluating the process hazards or final product.
  • Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology (PDF), National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)
  • General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories (PDF), NIOSH
  • Nanotechnology: Guidelines for Safe Research Practices, UC Lab Safety Work Group, a subcommittee of the UC Industrial Hygienists and Safety Steering Committee
  • Nanotechnology Information Library, NIOSH
  • Nanotoolkit - Working Safely with Engineered Nanomaterials in Academic Research Settings (PDF)
  • Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace, NIOSH
• Be aware of fire risk when working with reactive nanomaterials. Prior to starting work, assess whether large quantities or high concentrations of nanoparticles will be generated.
  • Under certain circumstances, combustible nanomaterials may present a higher risk when exposed to air due to their large surface area and overall small size.
  • Carbonaceous and metal dust can burn and explode if an oxidant such as air and an ignition source are present; self-heating may occur when reactive moieties, such as double bonds, are constituents of the carbonaceous material.

Wear appropriate PPE:

• Double nitrile gloves
  • Remove used outer gloves inside a fume hood or under a local exhaust ventilation and place in a sealed bag to prevent particles from becoming airborne.
• Lab coat with sleeves fully extended to the wrist
• Safety glasses or goggles
• A respirator with NIOSH-approved filters that are rated as N-, R-, or P-100 (HEPA) if you must work outside of a ventilated area with nanomaterials that could become airborne
  • See How to Get a Respirator.

• Handle nanoparticles whenever possible in a form that is not easily made airborne, such as in solution or on a substrate.
  • Alternatively, handle nanoparticles with engineering controls such as an HEPA-filtered local capture hood or glove box.
    Note: Locate HEPA-filtered, local capture systems as close to the possible source of nanoparticles as possible. Installation must be properly engineered to maintain adequate ventilation capture.
• Perform work inside a fume hood if an HEPA-filtered control system or glove box is unavailable.
• Use a fume hood to expel any nanoparticles from tube furnaces or chemical reaction vessels. Do not exhaust aerosols containing engineered nanoparticles inside buildings.
• Do not eat, drink, chew gum, apply cosmetics, or handle contact lenses in the laboratory, except in clearly marked Clean Areas. Wash hands frequently and before eating.
• Follow standard sharps practices to prevent accidental injection or skin puncture.
• Clean up spills (see Emergency Preparedness below) of nanoparticles promptly.
• Wet wipe work surfaces daily. Alternatively, use disposable bench paper.
• Wet wipe lab equipment and exhaust systems used with nanoparticles and HEPA-vacuum them prior to reuse, service, or disposal. See Decontamination Clearance for Equipment or Facilities.
• Place Tacki-Mat® or a similar sticky walk-off mat at the lab's exit to reduce the likelihood of spreading nanoparticles.

• Know the locations and how to use the nearest:
  • Eye wash and safety shower
  • Emergency Guide
  • First aid kit
  • SDS: Print and keep a copy applicable Safety Data Sheets with your emergency supplies.
  • Appropriate fire extinguisher:
    • Avoid incompatible extinguishing agents.
    • Contact EH&S Fire & Life Safety, (858) 534-7525, for questions regarding appropriate fire extinguishers.
• Prepare for spills. Clean up only very small quantities and only if you have been properly trained.
  • Read How to Handle Chemical Spills in Laboratories. Keep a chemical spill kit easily accessible.
  • Wear PPE, including double nitrile gloves and a lab coat.
  • For spills that might result in airborne nanoparticles, proper respiratory protection is required (See Personal Protective Equipment above).
  • Do not brush or sweep spilled or dried nanoparticles.
  • Place Tacki-Mat® at the spill area exit to reduce the likelihood of spreading nanoparticles.
  • Dispose of spill containment materials as hazardous waste (see Hazardous Waste Disposal below).

Treat any exposure seriously, no matter how slight it may seem at the moment.

• All exposures:
  • Give first aid treatment, and then seek medical attention immediately as needed.
  • Call UC San Diego Police at (858) 534-4357 (534-HELP) and request an ambulance, if transportation is necessary.
  • Call Poison Control, (800) 222-1222, if additional information is needed.
• Ingestion: Seek medical attention immediately.
• Skin exposure: Flush exposed skin with water for at least 15 minutes while removing any contaminated clothing.
• Eye exposure: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Affected individuals may need help holding their eyes open under water. Seek medical attention immediately at an emergency room.

Treat all waste engineered nanoparticles as hazardous waste unless they are known to be non-hazardous.

• Dispose of and transport waste nanoparticles in solution according to hazardous waste procedures for a solvent.
• Read these articles to help you identify and dispose of hazardous waste:
  • Identify Hazardous Chemical Waste
  • Store and Dispose of Chemical Waste
  • Store and Dispose of Extremely Hazardous Chemical Waste
  • Request a Hazardous Waste Collection
• Contact the EH&S Environmental Management Facility, (858) 534-2753, for questions about waste nanoparticle disposal.

Note: Alert EH&S hazardous waste technicians when you request collection of nanomaterials.

• Fact Sheet for Nanotechnology under the Toxic Substances Control Act, Environmental Protection Agency
• Information Resources for Nanotechnology Research, UC San Diego Libraries
• Nanotechnology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University
• The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
• U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative
• Nanotoolkit - Working Safely with Engineered Nanomaterials in Academic Research Settings (PDF)