University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Hosts Nanotechnology Experts in Annual Technology Symposium

(NORTHRIDGE, Jan. 30, 2008) — Officials with Cal State Northridge’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health invite the public to partake in an educational and networking symposium that will examine "Nanotechnology: Science and Safety" on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

The event brings together professionals from the engineering, physics, chemistry, and environmental and occupational health fields to discuss the health and safety impacts of nanotechnology. It is scheduled to take place from 5 to 9:45 p.m. in the University Student Union’s Grand Salon, located on the east side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

"This symposium brings together nanotechnology specialists from science and industry along with safety professionals to discuss our current state of knowledge," said Antonio F. Machado, associate professor of environmental and occupational health. "Discussions will explore our current understanding of safety issues surrounding nanotechnology while raising important questions about product development and the potential effects of this technology on both workers and the general public."

Machado, who will act as moderator for the conference, noted that nanotechnology has the potential to be used in thousands of consumer products such as sunscreens, batteries, audio and computer components, cooking oils and nutrition drinks, he said.

"While we don’t wish to speculate, the technology needs to be studied at pace with its development," said Machado. "For example, we need to understand what, if any, carcinogenic potentials exist. There is also very little data on trans-dermal absorption of chemicals in products that utilize nanotechnology and are intended for dermal application such as sunscreen and cosmetics."

Speakers will discuss the progress and rapidly growing field of nanotechnology. They include John Howard, renowned speaker on nanotechnology and director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Nicholas Kioussis, CSUN physics professor; and Patricia Holden, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"Nanotechnology is a new technology," said Machado. "As generally happens with new technologies, the utilization of the technology within industry—and even its availability to the public†is rapidly outstripping our understanding of the safety issues inherent to it."

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged. For more information or to RSVP, visit the Web site www.csunalumni.com/eoh.

Parking is $5 and is available in lot G4 on the east side of the campus off Zelzah St.