Nanotech VI: October 13, 2010, UCLA California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI).  

 Background: Nanotech VI builds upon topics discussed in the California Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC) previous Nanotech symposia while emphasizing occupational safety and health concepts which are key in reducing potential risks posed by Engineered Nanomaterials (ENM’s) to workers and the environment.

DTSC's Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) is promoting collaborative efforts focused on identifying data gaps associated with the manufacture and use of ENM's via California's chemical call-in process. The statutory authority for this chemical call-in process provides the first such mandatory state filing of information by chemical, including ENM manufacturers. OCS is also involved in a collaborative effort with California's leading universities and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to fill data gaps via the development of ENM risk-based safety guidelines for use in academic research laboratories.

UCLA's Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEIN) will co-host this substantive discussion focusing on occupational safety and health issues associated with the safe manufacturing and manipulation of ENM's. CEIN and DTSC provide an opportune partnership as both organizations have national and international credentials in the nanotechnology field as well as research capabilities and regulatory authority to fill information gaps.

Intent of Nanotech VI: Nanotechnology VI will focus on techniques and approaches which can be used to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control occupational exposure to ENM's. The goal is to provide a summary of the state of the ENM Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) disciplines and provide an overview of what EH&S practitioners can do protect their workers now, where the discipline is heading, and what areas require additional research. 

Audience: Materials Industries, Product Manufacturers, University Researchers, Workplace Safety Proponents, Regulatory Agencies, Public Interest Groups, and anyone seeking practical knowledge of nanomaterial EH&S.

Continuing Education Credits: Professional certification maintenance points are available for in-person participants: 

• American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) - .92 IH Certification Maintenance Points
• Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) - .65 Continuation COC Points/CEUs
  
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program (REHSP) - 7 Contact Hours 
  

Sponsorship: Nanotechnology VI is organized and hosted by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN). Additional sponsorship is provided by the UCLA California NanoSystems Insitute (CNSI), UCLA Southern California Education and Research Center (SCERC), the UCLA Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) and the UCLA Luskin Center.

Registration: Nanotechnology VI will be held free of charge. However, registration is required to secure a reservation or to participate in the webcast. Parking will be available on the UCLA campus for a fee of $10.