As nanomaterials quickly make their way into many commercial sectors, it’s up to industrial hygienists to ensure this technology moves forward safely and responsibly, Chuck Geraci, PhD, CIH, said during NIOSH’s annual nanotechnology update at AIHce 2014 in San Antonio. Geraci, coordinator of the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center, outlined current challenges and changes related to nanotechnology and provided a sneak peek at upcoming work at NIOSH.
Geraci gave attendees a glimpse of the future of nanomaterials science by describing what he’s already seeing at nanotechnology research centers across the country: the convergence of disciplines, knowledge, and technologies. He described how disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and toxicology are no longer isolated, and how knowledge now transfers between these areas rapidly and seamlessly.