Nanotechnology Research Center

Program Goals

A key leadership role for the NTRC is the development of goals and these have been identified in previous strategic plans. ^1,2 The NTRC is in the process of updating the strategic plan and goals to guide NIOSH research and partnership efforts over the next five years.

The five overarching strategic goals of the NTRC are:

• Strategic Goal 1: Increase understanding of new hazards and related health risks to nanomaterial workers.
• Strategic Goal 2: Expand understanding of the initial hazard findings of engineered nanomaterials.
• Strategic Goal 3: Support the creation of guidance materials to inform nanomaterial workers, employers, health professionals, regulatory agencies, and decision-makers about hazards, risks, and risk management approaches.
• Strategic Goal 4: Support epidemiologic studies for nanomaterial workers, including medical, cross-sectional, prospective cohort, and exposure studies.
• Strategic Goal 5: Assess and promote national and international adherence with risk management guidance.

NIOSH has identified 10 critical topic areas to address knowledge gaps, develop strategies, and provide recommendations. Each topic provides a brief description of the research that NIOSH is conducting in that particular area of nanotechnology.