Engineered Nanomaterials Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future

Objective: The ongoing explosion in creation and use of engineered nanomaterials leaves stakeholders in government, industry, and labor uncertain of how best to proceed in protecting worker health. Methods: A synopsis is presented of the conference Nanomaterials and Worker Health, along with considerations of prior, analogous challenges in occupational health. Results: Progress has been made in defining and addressing the occupational threat of engineered nanomaterials, but future success demands coordinated effort. Conclusions: The conference Nanomaterials and Worker Health laid necessary groundwork for collaboration to proactively and preemptively address the occupational health effects of engineered nanomaterials.