Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology promises to affect every aspect of our lives.  Nanoparticles and nanomaterials are being used in diverse industries from pharmaceuticals and electronics to cosmetics and novel fabrics, revolutionising the performance of many products and processes.  Many of the unique properties of nanoparticles arise because their very small size gives them a large surface area and high reactivity compared with larger “bulk” materials.

There is concern however that these properties of nanoparticles could potentially lead to human health problems following exposure, particularly in the workplace.

The BOHS Nanotechnology Topic Group was established in recognition of the importance of emerging nanotechnology issues for occupational hygiene.  The group is led by Dr Rosemary Gibson of the Health & Safety Laboratory, Buxton.  Rosemary aims to ensure that BOHS has an active technical programme on nanotechnologies and is responsive to the implications of this new technology.  Rosemary has a toxicology background, having led an independent research group at the University of Manchester until 2005 when she moved to HSL.  She leads HSL’s programme of work investigating the potential human health effects of nanomaterials.  Rosemary can be contacted on Rosemary.Gibson@hsl.gov.uk.

Rosemary is joined in the work of the Topic Group by experts from the Health Protection Agency (Colin Webb), Institute for Occupational Medicine (Steve Hankin), the University of Cambridge (John Hulme), and the Health & Safety Executive (Peter Griffin & James Wheeler).

Together we aim to bring you a programme of technical seminars that brings you the latest in opinion on managing the health and safety of nanomaterials in workplaces.  We also plan to develop a BOHS web community that will keep up to date with developments in the field, giving you a forum for asking questions and raising issues of concern in this challenging field.