Taking stock of the occupational safety and health challenges of nanotechnology: 2000–2015

Engineered nanomaterials significantly entered commerce at the beginning of the 21st century. Concerns about serious potential health effects of nanomaterials were widespread. Now, approximately 15 years later, it is worthwhile to take stock of research and efforts to protect nanomaterial workers from potential risks of adverse health effects. This article provides and examines timelines for major functional areas (toxicology, metrology, exposure assessment, engineering controls and personal protective equipment, risk assessment, risk management, medical surveillance, and epidemiology) to identify significant contributions to worker safety and health. The occupational safety and health field has responded effectively to identify gaps in knowledge and practice, but further research is warranted and is described. There is now a greater, if imperfect, understanding of the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle toxicology, hazards to workers, and appropriate controls for nanomaterials, but unified analytical standards and exposure characterization methods are still lacking. The development of control-banding and similar strategies has compensated for incomplete data on exposure and risk, but it is unknown how widely such approaches are being adopted. Although the importance of epidemiologic studies and medical surveillance is recognized, implementation has been slowed by logistical issues. Responsible development of nanotechnology requires protection of workers at all stages of the technological life cycle. In each of the functional areas assessed, progress has been made, but more is required.     

Can control banding be useful for the safe handling of nanomaterials? A systematic review

Control banding (CB) is a risk management strategy that has been used to identify and recommend exposure control measures to potentially hazardous substances for which toxicological information is limited. The application of CB and level of expertise required for implementation and management can differ depending on knowledge of the hazard potential, the likelihood of exposure, and the ability to verify the effectiveness of exposure control measures. A number of different strategies have been proposed for using CB in workplaces where exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can occur. However, it is unclear if the use of CB can effectively reduce worker exposure to nanomaterials. A systematic review of studies was conducted to answer the question “can control banding be useful to ensure adequate controls for the safe handling of nanomaterials.” A variety of databases were searched to identify relevant studies pertaining to CB. Database search terms included ‘control,’ ‘hazard,’ ‘exposure,’ and ‘risk’ banding as well as the use of these terms in the context of nanotechnology or nanomaterials. Other potentially relevant studies were identified during the review of articles obtained in the systematic review process. Identification of studies and the extraction of data were independently conducted by the reviewers. Quality of the studies was assessed using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE). A total of 235 records were identified in the database search in which 70 records were determined to be eligible for full-text review. Only two studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated the application of the CB Nanotool in workplaces where ENMs were being handled. A total of 32 different nanomaterial handling activities were evaluated in these studies by comparing the recommended exposure controls using CB to existing exposure controls previously recommended by an industrial hygienist. It was determined that the selection of exposure controls using CB were consistent with those recommended by an industrial hygienist for 19 out of 32 (59.4 %) job activities. A higher level of exposure control was recommended for nine out of 32 (28.1 %) job activities using CB, while four out of 32 (12.5 %) job activities had in-place exposure controls that were more stringent than those recommended using CB. After evaluation using GRADE, evidence indicated that the use of CB Nanotool can recommend exposure controls for many ENM job activities that would be consistent with those recommended by an experienced industrial hygienist. The use of CB for reducing exposures to ENMs has the potential to be an effective risk management strategy when information is limited on the health risk to the nanomaterial and/or there is an absence of an occupational exposure limit. However, there remains a lack of evidence to conclude that the use of CB can provide adequate exposure control in all work environments. Additional validation work is needed to provide more data to support the use of CB for the safe handling of ENMs.     

Redefining risk research priorities for nanomaterials

Chemical-based risk assessment underpins the current approach to responsible development of nanomaterials (NM). It is now recognised, however, that this process may take decades, leaving decision makers with little support in the near term. Despite this, current and near future research efforts are largely directed at establishing (eco)toxicological and exposure data for NM, and comparatively little research has been undertaken on tools or approaches that may facilitate near-term decisions, some of which we briefly outline in this analysis. We propose a reprioritisation of NM risk research efforts to redress this imbalance, including the development of more adaptive risk governance frameworks, alternative/complementary tools to risk assessment, and health and environment surveillance.     

Functional connectivity in the rat brain: a complex network approach

Functional connectivity analyses of fMRI data can provide a wealth of information on the brain functional organization and have been widely applied to the study of the human brain. More recently, these methods have been extended to preclinical species, thus providing a powerful translational tool. Here, we review methods and findings of functional connectivity studies in the rat. More specifically, we focus on correlation analysis of pharmacological MRI (phMRI) responses, an approach that has enabled mapping the patterns of connectivity underlying major neurotransmitter systems in vivo. We also review the use of novel statistical approaches based on a network representation of the functional connectivity and their application to the study of the rat brain functional architecture.     

High dimensional model representation method for fuzzy structural dynamics

Uncertainty propagation in multi-parameter complex structures possess significant computational challenges. This paper investigates the possibility of using the High Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) approach when uncertain system parameters are modeled using fuzzy variables. In particular, the application of HDMR is proposed for fuzzy finite element analysis of linear dynamical systems. The HDMR expansion is an efficient formulation for high-dimensional mapping in complex systems if the higher order variable correlations are weak, thereby permitting the input-output relationship behavior to be captured by the terms of low-order. The computational effort to determine the expansion functions using the α-cut method scales polynomically with the number of variables rather than exponentially. This logic is based on the fundamental assumption underlying the HDMR representation that only low-order correlations among the input variables are likely to have significant impacts upon the outputs for most high-dimensional complex systems. The proposed method is first illustrated for multi-parameter nonlinear mathematical test functions with fuzzy variables. The method is then integrated with a commercial finite element software (ADINA). Modal analysis of a simplified aircraft wing with fuzzy parameters has been used to illustrate the generality of the proposed approach. In the numerical examples, triangular membership functions have been used and the results have been validated against direct Monte Carlo simulations. It is shown that using the proposed HDMR approach, the number of finite element function calls can be reduced without significantly compromising the accuracy.     

Acoustic injury and the physiology of hearing

A critical bibliography of published articles concerning the effects of noise exposure on hearing has been compiled for the NIH. The review concentrated on articles published over the last 14 years; however, historical highlights of the past 50 years or so were included for continuity. This paper attempts to summarize in tutorial fashion the results of that review with regard to auditory physiology in general and explores some of the current issues with specific reference to acoustic injury. To date, most of the effort toward understanding acoustic injury has been focused on the auditory periphery; the emphasis is clear simply from the number of papers published in that area. On the other hand, the response of the central nervous system to noise exposure or to any type of damage in the periphery is essentially unknown. It would seem that it is now time to assume a more balanced approach and recognize the importance of the CNS with regard to understanding the overall consequences of acoustic injury.     

Multi-criteria decision analysis and environmental risk assessment for nanomaterials

Nanotechnology is a broad and complex discipline that holds great promise for innovations that can benefit mankind. Yet, one must not overlook the wide array of factors involved in managing nanomaterial development, ranging from the technical specifications of the material to possible adverse effects in humans. Other opportunities to evaluate benefits and risks are inherent in environmental health and safety (EHS) issues related to nanotechnology. However, there is currently no structured approach for making justifiable and transparent decisions with explicit trade-offs between the many factors that need to be taken into account. While many possible decision-making approaches exist, we believe that multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a powerful and scientifically sound decision analytical framework for nanomaterial risk assessment and management. This paper combines state-of-the-art research in MCDA methods applicable to nanotechnology with a hypothetical case study for nanomaterial management. The example shows how MCDA application can balance societal benefits against unintended side effects and risks, and how it can also bring together multiple lines of evidence to estimate the likely toxicity and risk of nanomaterials given limited information on physical and chemical properties. The essential contribution of MCDA is to link this performance information with decision criteria and weightings elicited from scientists and managers, allowing visualization and quantification of the trade-offs involved in the decision-making process.     

An underlying geometrical manifold for Hamiltonian mechanics

We show that there exists an underlying manifold with a conformal metric and compatible connection form, and a metric type Hamiltonian (which we call the geometrical picture), that can be put into correspondence with the usual Hamilton–Lagrange mechanics. The requirement of dynamical equivalence of the two types of Hamiltonians, that the momenta generated by the two pictures be equal for all times, is sufficient to determine an expansion of the conformal factor, defined on the geometrical coordinate representation, in its domain of analyticity with coefficients to all orders determined by functions of the potential of the Hamiltonian–Lagrange picture, defined on the Hamilton–Lagrange coordinate representation, and its derivatives. Conversely, if the conformal function is known, the potential of a Hamilton–Lagrange picture can be determined in a similar way. We show that arbitrary local variations of the orbits in the Hamilton–Lagrange picture can be generated by variations along geodesics in the geometrical picture and establish a correspondence which provides a basis for understanding how the instability in the geometrical picture is manifested in the instability of the the original Hamiltonian motion.     

Health risk assessment for nanoparticles: A case for using expert judgment

Uncertainties in conventional quantitative risk assessment typically relate to values of parameters in risk models. For many environmental contaminants, there is a lack of sufficient information about multiple components of the risk assessment framework. In such cases, the use of default assumptions and extrapolations to fill in the data gaps is a common practice. Nanoparticle risks, however, pose a new form of risk assessment challenge. Besides a lack of data, there is deep scientific uncertainty regarding every aspect of the risk assessment framework: (a) particle characteristics that may affect toxicity; (b) their fate and transport through the environment; (c) the routes of exposure and the metrics by which exposure ought to be measured; (d) the mechanisms of translocation to different parts of the body; and (e) the mechanisms of toxicity and disease. In each of these areas, there are multiple and competing models and hypotheses. These are not merely parametric uncertainties but uncertainties about the choice of the causal mechanisms themselves and the proper model variables to be used, i.e., structural uncertainties. While these uncertainties exist for PM2.5 as well, risk assessment for PM2.5 has avoided dealing with these issues because of a plethora of epidemiological studies. However, such studies don’t exist for the case of nanoparticles. Even if such studies are done in the future, they will be very specific to a particular type of engineered nanoparticle and not generalizable to other nanoparticles. Therefore, risk assessment for nanoparticles will have to deal with the various uncertainties that were avoided in the case of PM2.5. Consequently, uncertainties in estimating risks due to nanoparticle exposures may be characterized as ‘extreme’. This paper proposes a methodology by which risk analysts can cope with such extreme uncertainty. One way to make these problems analytically tractable is to use expert judgment approaches to study the degree of consensus and/or disagreement between experts on different parts of the exposure–response paradigm. This can be done by eliciting judgments from a wide range of experts on different parts of the risk causal chain. We also use examples to illustrate how studying expert consensus/disagreement helps in research prioritization and budget allocation exercises. The expert elicitation can be repeated over the course of several years, over which time, the state of scientific knowledge will also improve and uncertainties may possibly reduce. Results from expert the elicitation exercise can be used by risk managers or managers of funding agencies as a tool for research prioritization.     

Averaged description of elastic waves

We use the method of moments in order to describe elastic waves. It is shown that for transverse waves, there takes place a time-polynomial representation with a finite number of terms in the linear and quadratic spatial moments of displacements and some derivatives of displacements in space.     

Arithmetic mismatch negativity and numerical magnitude processing in number matching

Background

After a prolonged exposure to a paired presentation of different types of signals (e.g., color and motion), one of the signals (color) becomes a driver for the other signal (motion). This phenomenon, which is known as contingent motion aftereffect, indicates that the brain can establish new neural representations even in the adult's brain. However, contingent motion aftereffect has been reported only in visual or auditory domain. Here, we demonstrate that a visual motion aftereffect can be contingent on a specific sound.

Results

Dynamic random dots moving in an alternating right or left direction were presented to the participants. Each direction of motion was accompanied by an auditory tone of a unique and specific frequency. After a 3-minutes exposure, the tones began to exert marked influence on the visual motion perception, and the percentage of dots required to trigger motion perception systematically changed depending on the tones. Furthermore, this effect lasted for at least 2 days.

Conclusions

These results indicate that a new neural representation can be rapidly established between auditory and visual modalities.     

Coexistence of Partially Disordered/Ordered Phases in an Extended Potts Model

We consider a generalization of the standard Potts model in which there are q=r+s states with an interaction that distinguishes the two subspecies. We develop a graphical representation (of the FK type) for the system and show that this representation may be incorporated directly into reflection positivity arguments. Using combinations of these techniques, we establish detailed properties of the phase diagram including the existence of sharp triple points. Whenever relevant, the phases are characterized by the percolation properties of the underlying representation.     

Do bees like Van Gogh's Sunflowers?

Flower colours have evolved over 100 million years to address the colour vision of their bee pollinators. In a much more rapid process, cultural (and horticultural) evolution has produced images of flowers that stimulate aesthetic responses in human observers. The colour vision and analysis of visual patterns differ in several respects between humans and bees. Here, a behavioural ecologist and an installation artist present bumblebees with reproductions of paintings highly appreciated in Western society, such as Van Gogh's Sunflowers. We use this unconventional approach in the hope to raise awareness for between-species differences in visual perception, and to provoke thinking about the implications of biology in human aesthetics and the relationship between object representation and its biological connotations.     

Noise operators and approximate state vectors

A recent paper of Dekker on the noise operator approach to quantized dissipative systems is examined in some detail. It is shown that the occurrence of the noise operators is intimately related to a possible approximate Schrödinger picture representation for the state vector of the macroscopic quantum system. To do this, we have assumed that an initially pure collective state, which in our case is the macroscopic superfluid ground state, remains a pure state under a given condition. Then, we develop the theory by introducing a special type of time derivatives, which are akin to the covariant derivatives in the theory of relativity.     

Noise operators and approximate state vectors

A recent paper of Dekker on the noise operator approach to quantized dissipative systems is examined in some detail. It is shown that the occurrence of the noise operators is intimately related to a possible approximate Schrödinger picture representation for the state vector of the macroscopic quantum system. To do this, we have assumed that an initially pure collective state, which in our case is the macroscopic superfluid ground state, remains a pure state under a given condition. Then, we develop the theory by introducing a special type of time derivatives, which are akin to the covariant derivatives in the theory of relativity.     

Risk assessment and laser safety

The basic tenets of risk assessment have always been applied in laser safety during the development of safety standards. For example, statistical methods were used in the probit analysis of the threshold of ocular injury; concepts of risk analysis were employed in the development of hazard classes, where the increased risk of exposure and potential for injury from increasing laser output power led to assignment of an increasing hazard class. In recent years, however, there has been a number of attempts to apply statistical probability analysis in the risk assessment of actual use conditions. However, once the hazard classification has been assigned, how should one further apply the techniques of risk assessment in the determination of hazard control measures, or does this lead to a potential controversy of what is the risk? Risk analysis is the evaluation of potentially hazardous exposure conditions coupled with a realistic assessment of actual human exposure. The maximum permissible exposure values for laser radiation coupled with the laser hazards classification scheme, already permit realistic health hazard evaluations. However, in determining effective hazard control measures, one must perform a risk analysis. A risk analysis must consider aspects of human behaviour and how behaviour affects exposure. This is frequently the area of greatest controversy in the derivation of safety standards; however, it is this aspect where standards are most needed.     

Intensity image denoising for laser active imaging system using nonsubsampled contourlet transform and SURE approach

This paper presents an algorithm based on nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) and Stein's unbiased risk estimate with a linear expansion of thresholds (SURE-LET) approach for intensity image denoising. First, we analyzed the multiplicative noise model of intensity image and make the non-logarithmic transform on the noisy signal. Then, as a multiscale geometric representation tool with multi-directivity and shift-invariance, NSCT was performed to capture the geometric information of images. Finally, SURE-LET strategy was modified to minimize the estimation of the mean square error between the clean image and the denoised one in the NSCT domain. Experiments on real intensity images show that the algorithm has excellent denoising performance in terms of the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), the computation time and the visual quality.     

A new type of equation of motion and numerical method for a harmonic oscillator with left and right fractional derivatives

The aim of this research is to propose a new fractional Euler-Lagrange equation for a harmonic oscillator. The theoretical analysis is given in order to derive the equation of motion in a fractional framework. The new equation has a complicated structure involving the left and right fractional derivatives of Caputo-Fabrizio type, so a new numerical method is developed in order to solve the above-mentioned equation effectively. As a result, we can see different asymptotic behaviors according to the flexibility provided by the use of the fractional calculus approach, a fact which may be invisible when we use the classical Lagrangian technique. This capability helps us to better understand the complex dynamics associated with natural phenomena.     

Is adaptation or transformation needed? Active nanomaterials and risk analysis

Nanotechnology has been a key area of funding and policy for the United States and globally for the past two decades. Since nanotechnology research and development became a focus and nanoproducts began to permeate the market, scholars and scientists have been concerned about how to assess the risks that they may pose to human health and the environment. The newest generation of nanomaterials includes biomolecules that can respond to and influence their environments, and there is a need to explore whether and how existing risk-analysis frameworks are challenged by such novelty. To fill this niche, we used a modified approach of upstream oversight assessment (UOA), a subset of anticipatory governance. We first selected case studies of “active nanomaterials,” that are early in research and development and designed for use in multiple sectors, and then considered them under several, key risk-analysis frameworks. We found two ways in which the cases challenge the frameworks. The first category relates to how to assess risk under a narrow framing of the term (direct health and environmental harm), and the second involves the definition of what constitutes a “risk” worthy of assessment and consideration in decision making. In light of these challenges, we propose some changes for risk analysis in the face of active nanostructures in order to improve risk governance.