Next Tuesday, December 5, I'll be in Cincinnati for the International Conference on Nanotechnology Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety, sponsored by the University of Cincinnati and others.

The conference will focus on the protection and promotion of worker safety and health in nanomanufacturing enterprises and consumer public health, and on the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases through the use of nanotechnology.

It's an important event because to date, according to the conference organizers, a complete understanding of the health effects of workplace exposure to nanoparticles is not available. Consequently, safety and health engineering technologies and best practices are not currently in place to protect the workforce well-being along the life cycle of nano-based products including consumer public health.

In addition, nanotechnology may potentially be used for the prevention, early detection and treatment of occupational diseases whose healthcare costs are burdening the US economy with billions of dollars.

Speakers will include John Howard, Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Alan Gotcher, CEO, Altairnano, and many other prominent figures in nanotechnology and health.

The conference runs Dec. 4-7, and registration is still open.