Tag Archives: John Howard

US National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) released four new documents for handling nanomaterials

A March 12, 2018 news item on Nanowerk announced the latest from the US National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) on the safe handling of nanomaterials in the workplace,

Realizing the promise of any scientific advancement requires understanding of its potential human health effects, and its safe and responsible development, even at the level of engineered nanomaterials, which can be nearly atomic-sized. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) launched four new products this week intended to provide options to companies for controlling possible exposure of their workers to nanomaterials on the job.

A March 12, 2018 NIOSH news release, which originated the news item, fills in some details,

Engineered nanomaterials are intentionally produced to have at least one primary dimension less than 100 nanometers (nm). These very small particles have unique shapes and physical and chemical properties. These materials become desirable for specific product applications in areas including medicine, electronics, biomaterials, and consumer products. Workers in industries that use or make these uniquely engineered nanomaterials may inhale nanoparticles on a daily basis, posing a potential respiratory hazard.

“Researching, developing, and utilizing these nano properties is at the heart of new technology, just as worker safety is at the heart of what we do at NIOSH,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “The information contained in these new workplace design solution documents provide employers with strategic steps towards making sure their employees stay safe while handling nanomaterials.”

The four new documents provide helpful recommendations on minimizing exposures during common processes and tasks, including:

Each workplace design solutions document provides key tips on the design, use, and maintenance of exposure controls for nanomaterial production, post processing, and use. The poster poses questions that employers and workers should consider before starting work with a nanomaterial. For each question, the poster provides options to reduce exposures to nanomaterials based on the physical form. The poster can be displayed in a lab or work environment, making it an easily accessible reminder of the important health and safety considerations for working with nanomaterials.

To access the products, and for more information about nanotechnology research at NIOSH, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/pubs.html

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. More information about NIOSH can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh.

That’s all folks!

Shining a light on the women scientists at the US National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH)

A few days ago while researching another NIOSH (US National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety) story to be published later today, I stumbled across this Nov. 12, 2013 US National Institute of Occupational Health Safety (NIOSH) news release about their women and science video series,

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announces the availability of a new series of videos highlighting the stories of NIOSH women scientists. These “Women in Science” videos place the spotlight on the talented and diverse women researchers at NIOSH who provide encouragement for future occupational safety and health professionals, both men and women.

The development of world-class talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is critical to America’s global leadership. Scientists and policy makers see a particular need to engage young women in STEM careers, to address the fact that disproportionately fewer women than men currently work in STEM fields. These video spotlights touch upon the value placed by NIOSH on nurturing the rising generation of women scientists, and encouraging a new generation of scientific talent.

“At NIOSH, the mission of world-class research for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths engages talented women, such as those highlighted in this series,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “We hope the stories of these women will serve to encourage aspiring young scientists in their search for a field with which to serve.”

The “Women in Science” videos feature seven NIOSH scientists who share their personal journeys into various fields, describing interests while acknowledging duties, challenges, and balancing family life. The scientists include two epidemiologists, a U.S. Public Health Service officer and medical epidemiologist, a health communication specialist, a medical officer, a research civil and environmental health engineer, and a research psychologist. Between them are stories describing their career paths, the importance of research in protecting the American workforce, and advice for aspiring young scientists. Viewers will hear how a love of mystery books as a child led to a career as a “disease detective,” how adventures abroad were the driving force to a fulfilling career, how an experience with a severe head trauma patient guided the switch from neurosurgery to occupational medicine, and how research projects can involve breaking things and redesigning them to make them better.

A Nov. 13, 2013 posting by Alyssa Llamas (a Health Communication Specialist in the NIOSH Communication & Research Translation Office) on the NIOSH Science Blog gives the reasons for this video series (as for the fun facts included there, they weren’t quite as much fun as I hoped),

“When I grow up, I want to be an industrial hygienist.” Hearing a ten-year-old girl say those words would probably warrant a double take. While there might be some little girls out there dreaming about one day conducting research and working in a laboratory, studies suggest that more often, it’s a ten-year-old boy who will have the dream and will realize it when he grows up. The reality is that a disproportionately smaller number of women than men follow careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Scientific organizations agree that a better balance is needed. Perhaps, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, more girls will one day enthusiastically say, “epidemiologist, health communication specialist, medical officer, engineer, psychologist!”

In order to remain competitive and innovative in science and technology, we must close the gender gap and harness the full potential of the female STEM workforce in the United States. …

You can find the videos on this NIOSH page titled, Science Speaks: A Focus on NIOSH Women in Science.