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Publications

Reviews and position papers

• Two major reviews for Safe Work Australia have been published:

1. "Engineered nanomaterials: Investigating substitution and modification options to reduce potential hazards" (Jackson N., Tepe S. and Wright P.; RMIT University). Safe Work Australia, Commonwealth of Australia publication. Online publication date: 1 Aug. 2010. ISBN 978-0-642-33100-7. 81 pages.
2. "Engineered nanomaterials: Evidence of the effectiveness of workplace controls to prevent exposure" (Jackson N., Lopata A., Elms T. and Wright P.; RMIT University). Safe Work Australia, Commonwealth of Australia publication. Online publication date: 4 November 2009. ISBN: 978-0-642-32884-7. 82 pages.

• Reports by other NanoSafe Australia members on carbon nanotubes and photocopier emissions are also available at Safe Work Australia's Nanotechnology Publications webpage.
• Our original NanoSafe Australia position paper – "Current OHS best practices for the Australian Nanotechnology Industry" (PDF 291KB 18p). A modified version of this position report has also been published as: Harford A., Edwards J., Priestly B. and Wright P. (2007) "Current OHS best practices for the Australian Nanotechnology industry." Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, 23(4):315-331. ISSN 0815-6409.
• Recent invited opinion piece for COSMOS magazine (Sept. 12, 2011), "Warning: contains nanotech" – an evidence-based discussion of nanosunscreen-related issues.

Newsletter

• NanoSafe Newsletter 1 (PDF 81KB 4p) (August 2006)
• NanoSafe Newsletter 2 (PDF 148KB 6p) (March 2007)

Conference and workshop reports

• ICONN 2012 at the 4^th Australian International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Perth, 5-9 February 2012). This was a very successful joint conference with the 10^th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC 10) and the 22^nd Australian Conference on Microscopy and Microanalysis (ACMM 22). Prof. Joe Shapter (Flinders University) was Theme Chair of "Nanomanufacturing, Safety and Standards", comprising 5 symposia sessions, and a plenary on Australian public perceptions of nanotechnology by Dr Craig Cormick (National Enabling Technologies Strategy, NETS, Australian Department of Innovation).
• ICONN 2010 at the 3^rd Australian International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Sydney, 22-26 February 2010). Dr Maxine McCall (CSIRO Nansosafety) was Theme Chair of "Nanotechnologies in Society, Health and the Environment" – this was the conference’s symposia theme 1, comprising 7 symposia sessions, which included Short Course 1 “Effective Risk Assessment and Work Practices for Use with Engineered Nanomaterials” (half-day session presented by Paul Wright, Neale Jackson and Jeremy Allan), as well as internationally renowned experts Prof. Mark Wiesner (Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology, Duke University, USA) as a plenary speaker, and as invited international speakers: Dr Chuck Geraci (National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health, USA), Prof. Linda Nielson (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) and Dr Michael Stintz (University of Technology, Dresden, Germany).
• ICONN 2008 at the 2^nd Australian International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Melbourne, 25-29 February 2008). Assoc. Prof. Paul Wright (RMIT and Nanosafe Australia) was Theme Co-Chair of "Health and Safety, Nanoregulation" and organised six symposia sessions within this theme, which included internationally renowned expert Prof. Vicki Colvin (Rice University, TX, USA) as a plenary speaker, supported by NHMRC, and Dr Andrew Maynard (Woodrow Wilson International Center For Scholars, USA) as an international invited speaker.
• ICON Asia workshop (PDF 123KB 5p)
• Nanotox 2006 (PDF 51KB 8p)

Seminal nanotechnology OHS / EHS reports and papers

There is a large body of literature concerning the health and safety of nanomaterials. This page aims to list a few of the important government reports that have been produced over previous years. It will be updated regularly.

Australia

• Review for Safe Work Australia – "Engineered nanomaterials: A review of the toxicology and health hazards" Toxikos Pty Ltd (Drew R.) (2009). Online publication date: 4 November 2009. ISBN: 978-0-642-32921-9.
• The National Enabling Technologies Strategy (NETS) has several reports, including the recent "Monash Report" (Social and Economic Impacts of Nanotechnologies: Literature Review by Monash University) released on 18 May 2009. Previous reports include: the National Nanotechnology Strategy Taskforce (2006) "Options for a National Nanotechnology Strategy", and the initial National Academies Forum report (2006) "The environmental, social, legal and ethical aspects of the development of nanotechnology in Australia".
  Note: the Australian Office of Nanotechnology was part of the previous National Nanotechnology Strategy (NNS), which ceased on 30 June 2009 and was replaced by the National Enabling Technologies Strategy (NETS).
• The NSW Parliamentary inquiry into "Nanotechnology in New South Wales", at which some Nanosafe Australia members testified (tabled 29 April 2009).
• Safe Work Australia (formerly the Australian Safety and Compensation Council) has a Nanotechnology OHS program, and provides several reports including: (ASCC, 2006). "A Review of the Potential Occupational Health and Safety Implications of Nanotechnology"
• The Therapeutic Goods Administration TGA, (2006). "A review of the scientific literature on the safety of nanoparticulate titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in sunscreens" (PDF 19KB 32p).

International

• The Royal Society Royal Academy of Engineering (2004). "Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: Opportunities and uncertainties".
• HSE (UK) (2004). "Nanoparticles: An occupational hygiene review". A report prepared by the Institute of Occupational Medicine for the Health and Safety Executive (UK), Edinburgh, UK.
• NIOSH (2006). "Approaches to safe nanotechnology" (PDF 1.56MB 104p) National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• IRSST (2008). "Health effects of nanoparticles" (PDF 830KB 114p), 2^nd edition, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Links to Nanotech news websites

• SafeNano (UK)
• EU Nanosafe
• Nanowerk
• AzoNano