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Introduction to Environmental and Health Aspects of Nanotechnology

(WS 16, Sunday afternoon, 1-5 p.m.)

This half day course is intended for individuals interested in an introduction to potential environmental risk concerns raised by introducing nanotechnology into society and the economy.

This course will provide participants with an overview of the emerging concerns regarding nanotechnology and nanomaterials and impacts for occupational and public health and the environment.. The course introduces the topics of nanotechnology, nanotoxicology, environmental aspects of nanotechnology, and addresses ethical, legal, societal and regulatory perspectives. Through lectures and interactive sessions, participants will obtain a knowledge base for understanding the exposure, human health, and safety issues for nanomaterials and nanotechnologies and the potential impacts for workers, consumers, stakeholders, and the environment.

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Nanotechnology is emerging in all economic sectors, including: energy, medicine, food technology, imaging, manufacturing, electronics and air and water purification. Some of the current and potential future materials and technologies have the potential for significant impacts on health and the environment. This course introduces participants to the technological basis of nanoscale phenomena, the current and potential future
uses of nanotechnology, explores the breadth of issues raised for health and the environment, and implications of current research and gaps on regulatory policy and societal impacts.

At the conclusion of this course, the participants will have gained insights into (1) Key concerns regarding nanotechnology risks for employees, the public, and the environment; (2) Characteristics and properties of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies; (3) Nanotoxicology: state-of-the-science regarding the toxicity of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies; (4) Environmental aspects of nanotechnology; and (5) Risk assessment and risk management issues for nanomaterials and nanotechnologies.

Instructor information

1. Jo Anne Shatkin, Ph.D. CLF Ventures, Inc.

Jo Anne Shatkin is author of Nanotechnology Health and Environmental Risks (CRC Press

2008) and founder of the SRA Specialty Group, Emerging Nanoscale Materials. She is

CEO of CLF Ventures, Inc, in Boston.

2. Richard Canady, Ph.D., DABT; ILSI Research Foundation

Among other activities, Rick Canady led FDA’s Nanotechnology Task Force report and

guidance for nanomaterial testing for OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials.

He now directs the Center for Human Health Risk Assessment at ILSI RF

Content overview

1. Introduction to key issues regarding nanotechnology and risks for employees, the

public, and the environment

This module introduces the topic of nanotechnology, introduces terminology, discusses applications and implications, and provides participants with an overview of the occupational and environmental issues associated with exposures to nanomaterials, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites.

2. Characterization and risk assessment of nanomaterials

In this module, participants will learn basic terminology for nanoscale materials and the

types of nanomaterials and composites. Lectures and case studies will provide participants with

present an adaptive risk management approach for nanoscale materials. Participants will gain

of nanoscale materials. Additional topics addressed include available test methods, standards,

3. Nanotoxicology: State-of-the-science regarding the toxicity of nanomaterials

This module will provide participants with up-to-date information on the emerging field of

current scientific research regarding the mechanisms of toxicity for nanomaterials and

effects of exposures through inhalation, dermal, and ingestion exposure pathways. Potential

4. Environmental aspects of nanotechnology

This module provides participants with an overview of the potential applications and implications of nanotechnology for the environment. The applications relate to environmental benefits, and the implications relate to the potential adverse effects from intentional and incidental releases to air, water, and land. Topics covered include the current state of the science, research needs and directions.

Happy to answer any questions,

Jo Anne Shatkin, Ph.D.
CEO
CLF Ventures, Inc.
an affiliate of the Conservation Law Foundation
62 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110
617.850.1715 | jashatkin(a)clf.org
www.clfventures.org