Nanotechnology on the NIOSH Science BlogNIOSH recently co-sponsored a workshop focused on research needed for characterizing exposures to nanomaterials among workers, other populations, and environments by measuring and modeling exposure levels, and by monitoring indicators of biological responses through the product life of a nanomaterial.
Read more and comment on the NIOSH Science Blog.
NIOSH is the leading federal agency conducting research and providing guidance on the occupational safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology. This research focuses NIOSH’s scientific expertise, and its efforts, on answering the questions that are essential to understanding these implications and applications:
Nanotechnology Spotlights:
Essential Elements for Risk Management Suggested
Six essential features for proactive management of occupational safety and health risks in emerging industries such as nanotechnology are suggested in an article in the August 2009 issue of Nature Nanotechnology. The authors are Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the NIOSH Director, and John Howard, M.D., former NIOSH Director http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v4/n8/full/nnano.2009.205.html.
NIOSH Invites Papers for Journal Issue on Nano Exposure Assessment
NIOSH joins the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health in inviting submissions of scientific papers for a special issue of the journal, provisionally titled, “Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment for Nanomaterials." Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the NIOSH Director, will be guest editor of the issue. Deadline for submissions is January 15, 2010. More information is available from the journal at http://www.ijoeh.com/index.php/ijoeh/information/callforpapers and from Dr. Murashov at vladimir.murashov@cdc.hhs.gov.
NIOSH Leadership Is Reflected in New Reports from OECD
The international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released three new reports in a series of papers and studies on the safety of engineered nanomaterials. The new reports reflect NIOSH leadership in the OECD committees and working groups that developed and sponsored the reports. The reports are:
Mark Your Calendars: July 2010
First Announcement: Conference on Nanomaterials and Worker Health: Occupational Health Surveillance, Exposure Registries, and Epidemiological Research, Colorado, July 2010. More Information...
Article Proposes a National Nanotechnology Partnership Led by NIOSH
A National Nanotechnology Partnership, led by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is proposed in an article posted online July 7 by the peer-reviewed Journal of Nanoparticle Research. See http://www.springerlink.com/content/44013222kk845k7h/?p=71e4d149efa749eba19fbc2cba32742a&pi=6 at DOI 10.1007/s11051-009-9682-2.)
Scientists Note Importance of Understanding 'Nano/Bio Interfaces'
It is important to study and understand "Nano/Bio Interfaces," or the complex biological and biochemical interactions that occur when nanoparticles first come into contact with the body, an article in the June issue of the peer-reviewed journal Nature Materials states. With this knowledge, scientists can better predict potential health effects of nanomaterials and help guide their safe use. Dr. Vincent Castranova of NIOSH served as a co-author of the article, available at http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v8/n7/full/nmat2442.html
New Funding Proposed for NIOSH Research in FY10 President's Budget Request
The President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2010 proposes $12 million in funding for NIOSH's strategic nanotechnology research program http://www.hhs.gov/asrt/ob/docbudget/2010budgetinbrief.pdf. More information on the FY10 budget request generally for federal nanotechnology research can be found at http://www.nano.gov/NNI_2010_budget_supplement.pdf.
Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: Managing the Health and Safety Concerns Associated with Engineered Nanomaterials
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2009-125
This document reviews what is currently known about nanoparticle toxicity, process emissions and exposure assessment, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment. This updated version of the document incorporates some of the latest results of NIOSH research, but it is only a starting point.
NIOSH Offers Interim Guidance for Worker Medical Screening, Hazard Surveillance Pertaining to Engineered Nanoparticles
The NIOSH recommendations in “Current Intelligence Bulletin 60: Interim Guidance for the Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles,” respond to ongoing interest by employers and other stakeholders in having authoritative occupational safety and health guidance in the manufacturing and industrial use of engineered nanomaterials.
Each topic provides a brief description of the research that NIOSH is conducting in the area of nanotechnology and the applications and implications of nanomaterials in the workplace.
