Posted: May 11, 2009

Nanotechnology Health and Safety Forum Announces Lineup of Speakers to Include Dr. Leroy Hood, and former U.S. Congressman George R. Nethercutt, Jr.

(Nanowerk News) The Nanotechnology Health and Safety Forum (NHSF), an event that will focus on occupational and environmental health and safety standards of nanotechnology, today announced a lineup of speakers to include Dr. Leroy Hood, renowned co-founder of the Institute for Systems Biology and recipient of the Biotechnology Heritage Award, and Dr. Kenneth Dawson, Director of the Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI), the Irish national platform for excellence in the interaction of nanoparticles with living systems.
NHSF is sponsored by Battelle, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, and Oregon State University, and will focus on occupational and environmental health and safety standards of nanotechnology, providing attendees with important insights and answers.
“The Nanotechnology Health and Safety Forum brings together a stellar group of government and industry leaders to address health and environmental issues that could occur with emerging nanotechnology applications,” said Dr. Richard Pleus, toxicologist and managing director of Intertox, and NHSF Steering Committee chair. “Nanotechnology provides a tremendous opportunity to address some key medical, environmental, energy and technology based issues. However, there are risks with nanotechnology. A group of international scientists, including members of this forum, are working to ensure nanotechnology is health protective as it increasingly becomes a part of our daily lives.”
The NHSF has been scheduled to coincide with the first U.S.-hosted meeting of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 229 Nanotechnologies, which is taking place June 8-12, 2009. The forum will provide attendees with the unique opportunity to interact and connect with participants of the ISO meeting.
“ISO is working to develop international standards for nanotechnology. One focus of the work headed by the US group is standard setting related to environmental health and safety” said Dr. Pleus, also a toxicology expert and ISO delegate for the US. “With both meetings are occurring at the same time in Seattle, we are hoping for a cross fertilization of ideas.”
Speakers will include:
  • George R. Nethercutt, Jr., former US Congressman who represented the 5th District of Washington from 1995-2005 in the US House of Representatives
  • Dr. Kenneth Dawson, Director of the Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI)
  • Dr. Leroy Hood, renowned co-founder of the Institute for Systems Biology and recipient of the Biotechnology Heritage Award
  • Dr. Saber M. Hussain, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Air Force Research Laboratory
  • Dr. Vladimir Murashov, special Assistant on Nanotechnology to the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Dr. Robert Tanguay, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, the Director of the Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, and the Director of the NIEHS Toxicology Training Grant
  • Attendees of the NHSF will receive important insights and answers about the following topics:
  • The EHS Progress Report: today’s status and tomorrow’s next steps
  • International Standards: developing a timeline & milestones
  • Navigating Regulations: encouraging dialogue between Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
  • Safety Guidelines: state of the science and recommended occupational safety guidelines for working with nanomaterials
  • Managing Risk: the insurance industry perspective
  • What’s New: current activities of innovative nano-manufacturers
  • Throughout two information packed days, NHSF will explore the science of nanotechnology, government regulations, insurance and risk management, along with the roles of corporations and non-profit organizations as related to the future of nanotechnology.
    NHSF will be held in the Olympic Ballroom at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle, WA, beginning Monday, June 8, followed by an evening reception, and concluding on Tuesday, June 9.
    For more information, please visit http://www.nhsf2009.org/ or contact Ammon Gilbert at 206-443-2115, or [email protected].
    Source: NHSF