Technology-based companies in New York and the surrounding area often look to advances in materials science to innovate and create new products to sell globally. One of these technologies is the development and advancement of nanotechnologies.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials, and devices. This technology promises scientific advancement in sectors such as medicine, consumer products, energy, materials, and manufacturing.

Engineered nanomaterials are materials that have been purposefully manufactured, synthesized, or manipulated to have a size with at least one dimension in the range of approximately 1 to 100 nanometers and that exhibit unique properties determined by their size according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). At this near-atomic size, materials often begin to exhibit properties that affect physical, chemical, and biological behavior. People working in industries that utilize nanomaterials have the potential to be exposed to these engineered materials through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion.

“NIOSH reports that occupational health risks associated with manufacturing and using nanomaterials are not yet clearly understood,” said Michael Berrevoets, President, VOETS, LLC. “Companies and institutions researching and utilizing nanomaterials can turn to the industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality professionals at VOETS to help assess and mitigate occupational exposure risks to these materials. The experts at VOETS can help with eliminating or reducing hazards and exposures, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers.”