Assessing and Measuring the Effects of Nanotechnology on Human Health

Date
November 09, 2009

Workshop and Webcast to Explore Advances in Instrumentation, Metrology, and Analytical Methods

(November 9, 2009—Arlington, VA)  As part of the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s (NNI) ongoing strategy to coordinate nanotechnology-related environmental, health, and safety research (EHS) research, experts from industry, academia, and the Federal Government will come together for a two day workshop to explore current research on the human health implications of nanotechnology, as well as the latest developments in instrumentation, metrology, and analytical methods. Nanomaterials and Human Health & Instrumentation, Metrology, and Analytical Methods is the final workshop in the NNI’s three-part, nanoEHS series.

“This workshop marks another step forward in our commitment to advancing EHS research, consistent with the NNI vision of building a future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale leads to a revolution in technology and industry that benefits society. One of our main goals is to support responsible nanotechnology development,” said Dr. Clayton Teague, Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.

Dr. Teague added that this workshop, as part of the nanoEHS series, is a key component of the overall NNI adaptive management strategy. “This workshop will provide one of the regular assessments of the state of EHS research called for in the 2008 document, Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research, and will provide essential information to better understand the evolving needs and priorities of this dynamic field.”

The workshop is sponsored by the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee and is coordinated by the Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI) Working Group.

The workshop will cover two over-arching research need tracks: (1) Nanomaterials and Human Health and (2) Instrumentation, Metrology, & Analytical Methods. The specific goals of this workshop are to:

  • Probe the state of the science and to assess the progress made in the two tracks noted above
  • To identify prioritized gaps and emerging trends in nanotechnology health and safety research
  • Comment on the recommendation in the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s Strategy for Nanotechnology-related Environmental Health and Safety Research

Stakeholders will share knowledge about research progress and chart a path forward to address research needs in this vital area.

Since it began, the NNI has promoted research to study the potential EHS impacts of nanotechnology. All told, government agencies participating in the NNI have invested at least $254 million on research related to environmental, health, and safety concerns between 2005 and 2009.

For FY 2010, $88 million has been requested for the primary purpose of understanding and addressing potential risks of nanotechnology to health, safety and the environment. This includes studies funded by several agencies examining the potential toxicity of nanomaterials to humans and the environment, as well as developing and communicating safe practices for handling nanomaterials in the workplace. The FY 2010 EHS funding does not include substantial research in other NNI program component areas that are also vital to learning more about the potential risks of nanotechnology. Based on a sampling of EHS research funded in FY 2006, if all related research was included, current funding figures for EHS research would be as much as 60 percent higher.

The workshop will be held November 17-18 at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, 1900 N Fort Meyer Drive, Arlington, Va., 22209.