Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoResearch at HSL (CiNR) - News

New issue of the NanoAlert Bulletin Published
Issue 5 of the NanoAlert Bulletin is now available, with a special issue on Carbon Nanotubes coming soon.

  Download NanoAlert Bulletin Issue 5 (236KB)

  For further information on HSE NanoAlert, please click here

Institute of Nanotechnology Conference, May 2008
Dr Rosemary Gibson, a senior scientist at HSL, was invited to give a presentation at the Institute of Nanotechnology's conference "Towards reducing animal testing" at the Royal Society, London, on 28-29 May 2008. The talk, entitled "Testing toxicity of nanoparticles - how in vitro systems can fit with regulatory approaches", considered testing strategies that can be used for engineered nanoparticles and the issues/problems of using the data generated for human health risk assessment.

New Topic Leader for Nanotechnology
Dr Rosemary Gibson, a senior scientist at HSL, has been appointed BOHS Topic Leader for nanotechnology. Rosemary leads HSL's programme of work investigating the potential human health effects of nanomaterials. Rosemary will ensure that BOSH has an active techical programme on nanotechnologies and is responsive to the implications of the new technologies.

CiNR Presents Safety Workshop to Nanotech Industries
Thursday 8th November 2007, CIA, Kings Buildings, Smith Square, London

Introduction:
The Workshop was facilitated by Dr Rob Aitken, Director of the SAFEnano initiative at the Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, and Mr Dave Mark, Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoResearch (CiNR) here at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Buxton.

Aims & Objectives:
This workshop, presented to NIA members, aimed to introduce and highlight the resource and services that were available through two of the UK's leading occupational health and safety establishments - namely the Health and Safety Laboratory and the Institute for Occupational Medicine. Both organisations had been involved in nanotechnology research for several years and had a wide range of experience to offer the Nanotechnology Industries community.

The further objective of the workshop included the promotion of an industry-led discussion, in order to elucidate current (and possible future) health and safety needs and concerns within the industry. The workshop presenters then asked the NIA and it’s members about possible ways to address these and move forward.

Other CiNR presenters involved in the Workshop included Delphine Bard, Rosemary Gibson & Paul Holbrow. The meeting was open to members of the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA).


July 2007 - HSL Contribute to New RSC Volume

The Royal Society of Chemistry have just published the latest volume in their series “Issues in Environmental Science and Technology”, specifically covering Nanotechnology (volume 24).  This book includes a chapter written by Centre of Interdisciplinary NanoResearch (CiNR) Director, Dave Mark, which discusses “Occupational exposure to nanoparticles and nanotubes”.

Further information on the publication can be found at www.rsc.org/issues

HSL has announced that they will be launching an innovative Centre for Interdisciplinary Nano-Research (CiNR) towards the end of this month.  This represents the latest step in a £1m programme of nanotechnology research funded by HSL in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

This announcement follows the publication of a review of Government progress in the fields of NanoSciences and Nanotechnologies, last week by the Council for Science and Technology (CST).

The CST review states: “The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) have committed substantial resources to nanotechnologies work, particularly for workplace exposure.”

“Overall, CST finds that HSE and HSL have been thorough and conscientious authorities in the work that they have done to promote the safe development and handling of nanomaterials.”

The launch of the new CiNR will build on HSE and HSL’s contribution to the wider research effort in this important area.  Also, unlike most other ‘centres of excellence’ in the nanotechnology field, it will cover a range of expertise from ‘Explosion to Exposure’.

“The launch of the new Centre will enable HSL to translate its cutting-edge health and safety research into real workplace solutions for the nanotechnology industry,” said HSL Chief Executive, Eddie Morland.

“We are committed to making the CiNR the most wide ranging and accessible centre in the UK to look at the potential risks and hazards in this somewhat unknown and fast moving field.  Given the unusual breadth of our scientists’ knowledge, we will be looking at everything from large scale explosion potential to the toxicological impact of these materials on the cell.”

HSL’s nanotechnology-based research has already attracted some interest from industry and the new Centre will act as a focal point to enhance this important interaction. CiNR scientists and engineers will be actively engaging with a wide range of manufacturers, universities and other groups working with nanomaterials to provide both advice and practical research into their issues.

It is envisaged that the new CiNR will directly lead to a greater understanding and subsequent control of the potential health and safety issues relating to nanotechnology.

For further information, please contact Simon Hill, Business Manager, telephone (+44) 01298 218833 or email cinr@hsl.gov.uk.

Feb 2007 – HSL to present and exhibit at Nano-Expo 2007
HSL have been chosen to present a paper entitled “A Health and Safety Review of Nanoparticles in the Workplace: Measurement to Regulation” at the forthcoming Nano-Expo 2007 meeting.  Nano-Expo 2007 will be held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham on 16-17 May 2007.  HSL will also have a stand in the exhibition. More details can be found at www.nano-expo.co.uk.

Feb 2007 – HSL to welcome NIOSH visitor for collaborative research
HSL are pleased to welcome Dr Douglas Evans, from the USA’s National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  Dr Evans will be visiting HSL for a week, 19-23 Feb, with the purpose of carrying out some collaborative research measuring the dustiness of nanoparticles. 

Feb 2007 – Keynote speech at European NanOSH Conference
Dave Mark has been invited to present a keynote speech at the European NanOSH Conference to be held in Helsinki, Finland between December 3rd-5th, 2007.  Further information can be found at www.ttl.fi/euronanosh.

Jan 2007 – HSL to present at NanoParticle Monitoring Seminar
Dave Mark, HSL has been invited to give a presentation at a seminar entitled “Nanoparticle Monitoring in Occupational Environments – Comparing and Contrasting Measurement Metrics”. The event is being run by TSI Instruments Limited and will be held in High Wycombe on 30 January 2007.

Jan 2007 – HSL to present at NC3R’s Parliamentary event
HSL Senior Scientist Rosemary Gibson has been selected to present a poster describing some of her research evaluating the toxicology of nanoparticles. The event for MPs, Peers and other important stakeholders is being organised by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and will take place at Portcullis House, Westminster on February 28th.

Jan 2007 – HSL to host NANOSH project meeting
HSL will host a meeting of European scientists and nanotechnology experts who contribute to the NANOSH project. The meeting, which takes place 8-9 February, will discuss progress made in two of the workpackages of this major EU project, that are looking at sampling and measurement strategies in attempts to characterise the potential inflammatory and genotoxic effects of engineered nanomaterials in the workplace.

2006 – 3rd International Symposium on Nanotechnology, Occupational and Environmental Health
HSL is again proud to be involved in next years 3rd International Symposium on Nanotechnology, Occupational and Environmental Health.  After organising and hosting the First symposium in this series, held at Buxton in 2004, HSLs David Mark has been appointed to sit on the International Advisory Committee for this premier international meeting.  The symposium will be held at the International Conference Hall in Taipei, Taiwan between 29 August and 1 September 2007. Further details can be obtained from nano-taiwan.sinica.edu.tw/EHS2007/index.htm.

Nov 2006 – HSE / HSL to give evidence to the Council for Science and Technology Nanotechnology review
Government policy on nanotechnology is based upon a recommendations published by the Royal Society and The Royal Academy of Engineering in 2004.  As part of a two-year review of progress, conducted independently by the Council for Science and Technology, HSE and HSL have been called to give evidence of the research and other work being undertaken.

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