NIOSH Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Nanotechnology Research

Press Office Contact: Stephanie Stevens 202.245.0641

Today the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany, New York. NIOSH and CNSE will work together to advance research and guidance for occupational safety and health in the nanoelectronics industry and other settings where workers are potentially exposed to engineered nanomaterials.

The partnership between NIOSH and CNSE will serve as a platform for occupational safety and health research as well as educational and business initiatives leading to the development of new risk management guidance, recommendations, and findings relating to the potential human health impacts of exposure to nanomaterials.

“This collaborative effort provides the opportunity to revolutionize our understanding of the occupational health implications of nanomaterials and help NIOSH achieve its mission to protect worker health by providing good risk management and guidance to the nanomaterials industry,” said Dr. Howard. “NIOSH and CNSE have partnered since 2010 and I am delighted that we will continue to work together on this important research.”

Since 2010 NIOSH and CNSE have worked in partnership on research that supports NIOSH’s nanomaterials safety efforts. In 2012, NIOSH and CNSE collaborated to hold the “Safe Nano Design Workshop” at the Albany NanoTech Complex. Resulting from the workshop were guidelines for the safe synthesis of nanoparticles and associated products through the approach, “Prevention through Design” where occupational hazards of nanomaterials or risks from exposure to them are minimized early in the design process. Additionally, NIOSH included CNSE nanomaterials research in its 2014 report, “The State of the National Initiative on Prevention through Design.”

CNSE is the world leader in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, with more than $20 billion in high-tech investments and over 300 corporate partners.

NIOSH is the federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. To learn more about NIOSH’s nanotechnology initiatives, visit: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/. More information about NIOSH can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh.