NIOSH signs agreement to advance nanotechnology research

Washington – NIOSH and SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s nanotechnology school have signed an agreement to work together on nanotechnology research and provide guidance on occupational safety and health.

NIOSH and the SUNY Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany, NY, have partnered since 2010 on researching nanomaterial safety. They signed a memorandum of understanding on Oct. 2 to further research and recommendations for worker safety in the nanoelectronics industry and other areas in which workers potentially face exposure to engineered nanomaterials.

Some of their efforts include the Safe Nano Design Workshop in 2012 and the release of guidelines for safe synthesis of nanoparticles using the Prevention through Design approach, in which occupational hazards and exposure risks are diminished early during design. NIOSH also incorporated research from CNSE in its 2014 report, The State of the National Initiative on Prevention through Design.