The British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are pleased jointly to publish these proceedings from the First International Symposium on Nanotechnology and Occupational Health, which was organised by the British Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) and held under NIOSH co-sponsorship on 12-14 October 2004, in Buxton, England. The symposium represented a historic gathering of scientists and engineers from many disciplines and many countries. These proceedings, resulting from the intensive three-day meeting, offer a significant addition to the growing body of literature on this emerging field of occupational health study. This report was compiled by HSL from abstracts authored by the invited speakers and contributions made by participants at the symposium. The views and recommendations expressed in these proceedings are solely those of the authors and workshop participants in the First International Symposium on Nanotechnology and Occupational Health. Inclusion in this document does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH or HSE.
Nanotechnologies are poised to revolutionise medicine, manufacturing, energy production, and other fundamental features of everyday life in the 21st Century. But they also pose important questions that stem from the unique nature of materials and processes at the nanometer scale. In the realm of occupational health, much is unknown about the ways in which people may be exposed to nanomaterials through their manufacture and use in the workplace, and the potential health implications of such exposure. We are pleased to be able to work together, and with many other partners, to address these questions as an integral part of efforts internationally to help nanotechnologies realise their full potential. The report of proceedings will be used to inform the development of associated research programmes.
