WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Do industry and the U.S. government have an adequate risk research strategy and oversight practices in place to ensure nanotechnology worker safety?
What:
The small size of nanoparticles raises a number of questions regarding workplace protections, including how accurately companies can detect and monitor engineered nanoparticles in ambient air and on surfaces, and whether there is enough risk research data available to determine safe occupational dose and exposure levels. The "Nanotechnology Environmental Safety and Health Summit," part of the NanoTX'07 Conference and Expo in Dallas, TX during October 3- 4, will explore these questions and more. See: http://www.nanotx.biz/
Who:
Andrew D. Maynard, chief science advisor for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, is available for interviews to discuss nanotechnology safety questions. He is one of the foremost international experts on addressing possible nanotechnology risks and developing safe nanotechnologies. Dr. Maynard helped establish the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) nanotechnology program. Maynard's Ph.D. is in ultrafine aerosol analysis from Cambridge University (UK). His recent Congressional and public testimonies are available online at http://www.nanotechproject.org/.
Why:
Nanotechnology was incorporated into more than $50 billion in manufactured goods in 2006. By 2014, an estimated $2.6 trillion in manufactured goods globally will use nanotechnology, or 15 percent of total global output. The number of jobs involved in making nano-enabled products is projected to reach more than 10 million in 2014. An exciting new field of research and development, nanotechnology is the ability to measure, see, manipulate and manufacture things usually between 1 and 100 nanometers. For a look at over 500 nanotechnology consumer products, log on to http://www.nanotechproject.org/consumerproducts.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is an initiative launched by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Pew Charitable Trusts in 2005. It is dedicated to helping business, government and the public anticipate and manage possible health and environmental implications of nanotechnology.
Media interested in interviewing Dr. Maynard should contact Sharon McCarter at (202) 691-4016 or sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org.
Sharon McCarter, Director of Outreach and Communications
Phone: (202) 691-4016
E-Mail: sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
