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NIOSH Informs, Leads Nanotechnology
Actions By International Partner Organizations
Other Topics:
Nanotechnology
Strategic Plan
NIOSH
January 4, 2008
Pittsburgh, PA -- The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided
technical input, support, and leadership for
three recent actions by international organizations
to address the occupational safety and health
implications of nanotechnology.
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“Internationally, scientists
and policymakers recognize that it is important
to address the question of whether workers face
a risk of job-related illnesses and injuries
in the production and industrial use of nanomaterials,”
said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “We are
pleased that NIOSH has a key role in contributing
to this world-wide scientific dialogue.”
Dr. Howard added, “NIOSH’s actions help to advance
the research that is critical for incorporating
safety and health into this advanced technology
in its formative stages, developing consistent
technical approaches internationally, and supporting
U.S. leadership in the global market.”
The recent NIOSH contributions to the international
research were these:
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On November 29, the Organization
for Economic Co-operation and Development’s
(OECD) Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials
agreed to establish a NIOSH-led project
to 1) exchange information on measuring
and controlling exposures to nanomaterials,
and 2) develop suggestions for further steps
by the working party. Representatives from
23 countries, the European Commission, business,
labor, and environmental groups serve on
the panel. Initially, the steering group
for the project will focus on specific potential
projects related to a goal of raising awareness
about – and harmonizing approaches for –
exposure measurement and mitigation in occupational
settings. More information on the OECD effort
is available at http://www.oecd.org/document/36/0,3343,en_2649_34269_38829732_1_1_1_1,00.html.
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Meeting December 4-7,
a project group of the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee
229 voted to approve a draft report of safety
and health practices in occupational settings
relevant to nanotechnology. The draft report
was based on NIOSH’s interim document, “Approaches
to Safe Nanotechnology,” and was developed
with NIOSH leadership and participation
on the project group. The draft report goes
to the full technical committee for its
review. The project group’s action signifies
that technical work has been completed on
the draft report, which is highly anticipated
by the international community. More information
about the ISO program is available at http://www.iso.org/iso/standards_development/technical_committees/list_of_iso_technical_committees/
iso_technical_committee.htm?commid=381983.
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On December 2, NIOSH participated
in a meeting in Helsinki, Finland, of the
World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global
Network of Collaborating Centres in Occupational
Health, focusing on nanotechnology. NIOSH
staff provided input on the challenges that
engineered nanoparticles pose for occupational
safety and health. The objective of the
meeting was to determine how the WHO Collaboration
can develop and support research and cooperation
in preventing exposure to potentially hazardous
engineered nanoparticles. NIOSH currently
is collaborating on five communication and
networking projects with various WHO centers.
More information about the Global Network
partnerships can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/global/projects.html.
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NIOSH conducts a strategic
program of research on the occupational
safety and health implications and applications
of nanotechnology. The research addresses
key areas where new scientific information
is critical for assessing potential occupational
risks and developing effective guidance
for controlling exposures. More information
about the NIOSH research program is available
at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/.
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