Symposium on the health protection of the Nanomaterial Workers

Organised by: 
ICOH Scientific Committe Nanomaterial Workers’ Health
When: 
25-26 February 2015
Begin Date: 
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Place: 
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy

Workers worldwide are manufacturing and using nanomaterials. However, it is still relatively early in the natural history of nanotechnology. There are concerns that some nanomaterials may present health hazards to workers but there is great uncertainty about the nature and extent of the hazards. Consequently, it is necessary to take precautions to protect workers until more information on hazards and exposures is developed. Since nanotechnology is globally being applied, it is important to assess the extent to which workers are being protected from its potential hazards. The Scientific Committee on Nanomaterial Workers’ Health of ICOH is planning a symposium to develop an international survey on use of precautionary guidance to protect nanomaterial workers. The objective of the symposium is to address the extent to which there is nanomaterial production and use, the prevalence of controls in workplaces, and the type of guidance that has been issued. The main focus of the symposium will be the adaptation of an existing draft national survey to assess precautionary guidance worldwide, and discussion of how best to implement it.

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