NANOTECHNOLOGY

News and Events

New Study Links Nanoparticle Exposure to Cellular Responses Associated with Autoimmune Risks

Exposures of human cells and exposures of mice to certain types of nanoparticles in laboratory studies produced cellular changes that are associated with risks for disorders of the autoimmune system such as rheumatoid arthritis, NIOSH scientists and colleagues reported in a paper published online by the peer-reviewed journal Future Medicine. The findings add to the body of scientific evidence that helps NIOSH to better assess potential occupational health risks from nanomaterials and continue to work with partners to recommend prudent workplace health and safety practices. The article is available at http://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/full/10.2217/nnm.11.177.

Safe Nano Design: Molecule » Manufacturing » Market

Date: August 14 – 16, 2012
Location: College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering of the University at Albany, Albany, NY
Event Organizer: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Prevention through Design Program and the Nanotechnology Research Center
Participants at this workshop will provide input into the safe commercialization of nano products resulting in the development of guidelines for the safe synthesis of nanoparticles and associated products, using a Prevention-through-Design approach. The workshop will focus on: efforts to develop safer nano molecules that have the same functionality; process containment and control, based on the considerations of risk of exposure to workers; and the management system approaches for including occupational safety and health into the nanoparticle synthetic process, product development, and product manufacture.
Safe Nano Design: Molecule » Manufacturing » Market

Innovative Proposals for Nanotechnology Studies, Other Priority Research Sought by NIOSH in Grant Notice

NIOSH invites applications from small businesses to conduct innovative research in three high-priority areas, including studies relating to the occupational health and safety aspects of nanotechnology. Applications for competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program are due by April 5, August 5, and December 5 each year.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-03-06-12.html

NIOSH sponsored a Supplement of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

A Supplement of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine was recently published that contains selected papers from the Nanomaterials and Worker Health, Medical Surveillance, Exposure Registries and Epidemiologic Research Conference sponsored by NIOSH in Keystone, Colorado, July 2010.
http://journals.lww.com/joem/toc/2011/06001/

NIOSH Invited Comments for Updating Its Strategic Plan

NIOSH invited comments by April 15, 2011, on the types of research relevant to hazard identification and risk management that it should consider in updating its strategic plan on nanotechnology research. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-5110.htm

NIOSH Research Leadership Reflected in New Nanotechnology Book

NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., and NIOSH Senior Scientist Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D., are the co-editors of a new technical book, Nanotechnology Standards, published by Springer Science + Business Media, LLC. The book is described as the first comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art reviews of twenty-first century nanotechnology standards development written by an international team of experts representing both the international standards development community and the nanosciences community. Dr. Howard and Dr. Murashov contributed the introduction to the book, and a chapter, “Health and Safety Standards,” that describes voluntary, consensus-type standards adopted by the private sector as well as mandatory, or government-regulatory, health-related standards for the workplace.

Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers: NIOSH invited comment on draft

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) invited public comment on a draft document, "Current Intelligence Bulletin: Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers." For public review and comment, the draft document summarizes current scientific knowledge about the occupational safety and health implications of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, and recommends an occupational exposure limit and measures for controlling work related exposures to those types of nanomaterials, based on the current state of knowledge. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/archive/docket161A.html

Impact Sheet Describes Innovative Method for Lab Tests

A new NIOSH Impact Sheet describes the process and results of an innovative method developed by NIOSH researchers to deliver carbon nanotubes to mice in laboratory studies. The new method offers a breakthrough over challenges encountered with a widely used delivery method. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-158/

NIOSH, University-Based Center in the Northeast Announce Partnership

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and a university-based nanotechnology research center in the Northeast announced a formal partnership Sept. 22 that will provide companies with practical research and guidance to promote occupational health and safety in nanotechnology. More information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-09-22-10.html.

5th International Conference Scheduled for August 2011

Mark your calendars for the 5th International Conference on Nanotechnology-Occupational and Environmental Health, scheduled to be held on Aug. 9-12, 2011, in Boston, Mass. NIOSH is a co-sponsor of the conference, which provides a biennial forum for communicating and sharing information on the health, safety, and environmental implications of nanotechnology. More details are available at www.uml.edu/nano/nanoehs/Conferences.html

INRS Occupational Research Conference 2011: Call for Abstracts

NIOSH will participate in the "INRS Occupational Research Conference 2011," a scientific conference addressing the occupational risks associated with nanomaterials and nanoparticles. The conference is being organized by the Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), a leading institute conducting research and providing guidance on the occupational safety and health in France, in association with the Partnership for European Research in Occupational Safety and Health (PEROSH). The INRS Occupational Health Research Conference will be held in Nancy, France, April 5-7, 2011. The abstract submission deadline is October 15, 2010. For more information, visit the conference website: http://www.inrs-nano2011.fr

Nanotechnology Innovation Summit: Dec. 8-10

NIOSH will join other federal partners at the Nanotechnology Innovation Summit, Dec. 8-10, 2010, in National Harbor, Md. organized by the Nano Science and Technology Institute in cooperation with the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. More information can be found at http://www.nsti.org/events/NNI/ .

NIOSH at the Buckyball Anniversary Symposium

Dr. Charles Geraci, coordinator of NIOSH’s nanotechnology research program, will be an invited speaker at a special symposium on health, safety, and environment, as part of a conference observing the 25th Anniversary of the discovery of the Buckyball. The conference, sponsored by the Smalley Institute at Rice University, will be held Oct. 10-13 in Houston, Texas. For more information on the conference, see http://buckyball.smalley.rice.edu/.

NIOSH Scientists Explore Exposure Limit Issues in Journal Article

As part of a proactive approach supporting responsible development of nanotechnology, organizations around the world already are developing precautionary interim occupational exposure limits for nanomaterials. In a paper published online July 11 by the Journal of Nanoparticle Research, NIOSH’s Paul Schulte, Vladimir Murashov, Ralph Zumwalde, Eileen Kuempel, and Charles Geraci review the state of the art in developing such limits.

NIOSH Invites Stakeholders to Join the Dialogue on the NNI National Strategic Plan

NIOSH invites its partners and stakeholders to read and comment on responses to the National Nanotechnology Initiative's (NNI) 2010 Strategic Plan. One of the central goals of the plan - the development of responsible nanotechnology - reflects NIOSH’s position that research on the health, safety, and environmental implications of nanotechnology is integral to the success of this emerging technology and to U.S. leadership in the global market. NNI invited responses on the plan from July 13 to August 15, 2010. For more information and to comment on responses that were received during that time, and suggestions, visit the NNI portal at http://strategy.nano.gov.

Nanomaterials and Worker Health Conference

NIOSH and the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center sponsored the conference on Nanomaterials and Worker Health: Medical Surveillance, Exposure Registries, and Epidemiologic Research. The conference was held on July 21-23, 2010, at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center in Keystone, Colorado.

NIOSH International Partnership Is Reflected in OECD Workshop Report

NIOSH's international partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to examine potential occupational health and safety risks from nanoparticles is reflected in a new OECD report, "Report of the Workshop on Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials in a Regulatory Context." NIOSH representatives participated in the workshop and contributed to the report. The workshop provides input for an SG6 document on issues relating to risk assessment methods for engineered nanoparticles. For more information, see http://www.oecd.org/LongAbstract/0,3425,en_2649_37015404_45020877_1_1_1_1,00.html

Journal Posts Research Paper on Biodegradation of Carbon Nanotubes

Laboratory studies by Dr. Anna Shvedova of NIOSH and outside colleagues, reported in a paper posted online by the journal Nature Nanotechnology on April 4 ahead of publication, discovered that carbon nanotubes were biodegraded by an enzyme found in white blood cells, neutrophils. The results are important for scientists in evaluating the biological effects of carbon nanotubes, particularly their fate and role in inflammation. The paper is available at http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2010.44.html