| Posted: August 21, 2007 |
SAFENANO launches nanotechnology health and safety website |
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(Nanowerk News) A website providing information on nanotechnology health and safety is today being launched by SAFENANO. Managed by the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh, SAFENANO aims to become the UK’s premier resource on nanotechnology hazard and risk.
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SAFENANO will provide independent and impartial advice to stakeholders
including industry, academia and the wider public concerning the potential
risks to human health and the environment from nanomaterials.
The SAFENANO project is being funded with £316,000 over three years
from the Government’s Technology Strategy Board, which is sponsored by
the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
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Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson, said: “Nanotechnology is an area which has the potential to offer significant
health, social and economic benefits for the UK, with predictions of a
global market worth over $1 trillion within a decade. Government is
providing £90 million on research and infrastructure to promote the
commercialisation of micro and nanotechnologies.
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“However, it is new technology and it’s important that we also examine
the health, safety and environmental risks associated with it. That’s why
we’re supporting SAFENANO, which will provide impartial advice on this
important area.”
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SAFENANO has the remit of collecting, interpreting and disseminating the
emerging scientific evidence on these issues.
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SAFENANO.org features the latest scientific research, information about
good practice, standards, news, events, and articles from leading opinion
formers in industry, government and academia in the UK and world wide.
It includes a regular bulletin service, comprehensive database of relevant
publications and a community site where users can share information
about common challenges and their solutions on a global basis.
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Commentary and editorial for SAFENANO will be provided from experts
within the IOM and partners in SnIRC (Safety of Nanoparticles
Interdisciplinary Research Centre).
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The launch of this site represents the latest stage in IOM and SAFENANO’s
nanotechnology programme which aims to understand, quantify and
control risks posed by nanomaterials to the workforce, consumers, the
general population and the environment through research, consultancy
and service work for industry and government.
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Dr Rob Aitken, Director of the SAFENANO initiative said “We are delighted
to be working with the Technology Strategy Board on this important
project which represents a real commitment to address nanoparticle risk
issues in a coherent way.
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“SAFENANO, by providing independent and impartial advice, will underpin
the emerging UK nanotechnology industry and will facilitate the
development of new processes and materials in a responsible and safe
manner.”
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