The NanOEH2009 Conference had 297 participants from over 30 countries. During the Conference 8 further education lectures (26 Aug), 3 keynote and 9 plenary presentations (27-29 Aug), and 57 oral and 88 poster free communications (27-28 Aug) were given. In addition, five (5) companies participated in the NanOEH2009 exhibition.
The Conference was opened by Dr. Markku Mattila, President of the Academy of Finland. Professor Harri Vainio, Director General of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, gave the welcoming words on behalf of the organizers. Dr. Andrew Maynard from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, closed the Conference with the speech titled "Ten things everyone should know about nanotechnology safety". Dr. Maynard's speech gave ideas for thoughts on how to improve safety.
The scientific programme was build around eight main themes:
• Characteristics of engineered nanoparticles
• Exposure assessment to engineered nanoparticles
• Toxicity and health effects of engineered nanoparticles
• Effects of engineered nanoparticles on the environment
• Control technologies and instrumentation
• Risk assessment of engineered nanoparticles
• Management and prevention of risks of engineered nanoparticles
• Regulatory framework
During the Conference the following questions rouse:
• which characteristics of ENM, and their interactions with their surroundings determine ENM toxicity
• what are the key organs and cells targeted by the main groups of ENM and which factors render these critical targets sensitive to ENM
• which characteristics of ENM best correlate with their effects so as to provide an adequate basis for their characterization and measurement
• which is the most appropriate decision tree approach for effective evaluation of ENM toxicity and safety
• which risk management approach best differentiates the most harmful ENM from the less hazardous ones
• what are the crucial issues that affect the perception of novel unknown risks in different human populations.
Proceedings articles of the NanOEH2009 presentations are invited to be submitted to Particle and Toxicology (PFT), and Journal of Aerosol Science (JAS) in October 2009. The manuscripts will be reviewed according to normal review and acceptance processes (see "Proceedings").
The NanOEH2009 Conference was organized by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) in collaboration with Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, the VTT Research Centre of Finland, the University of Kuopio, and the University of Helsinki.
The Conference was supported by:
• National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), Denmark
• Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (INRS), France
• Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Germany
• Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BGIA), Germany
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention (ISPESL), Italy
• TNO Quality of Life, the Netherlands
• Central Institute for Labour Protection -National Research Institute (CIOP), Poland
• Institute for Work and Health (IST), Switzerland
• Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), UK
The NanOEH2009 organizers wish to acknowledge the following sponsors for their contribution to the success of this Conference:
• Finnish Work Environment Fund
• Ministry of Environment, Finland
• Federation of Finnish Learned Societies
• European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, US Air Force Research Laboratory
• International Union of Toxicology.