Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Tweet[IWS] NIEHS: NANOTECHNOLOGY in the WORKPLACE--ETHICAL/SCIENTIFIC ISSUES [25 September 2006]
IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Environmental Health Perspectives
Ethical and Scientific Issues of Nanotechnology in the Workplace [25 September 2006]
by Paul A. Schulte and Fabio Salamanca-Buentello
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9456/9456.pdf
[full-text, 46 pages]
Abstract
In the absence of scientific clarity about the potential health effects of occupational exposure to
nanoparticles, a need exists for guidance in decision-making about hazards, risks, and controls.
An identification of the ethical issues involved may be useful to decision-makers, particularly
employers, workers, investors, and health authorities. Since the goal of occupational safety and
health is the prevention of disease in workers, the situations that have ethical implications that
most affect workers have been identified. These situations include the (1) identification and
communication of hazards and risks by scientists, authorities, and employers, (2) workers'
acceptance of risk, (3) selection and implementation of controls, (4) establishment of medical
screening programs, and (5) investment in toxicologic and control research. The ethical issues
involve the unbiased determination of hazards and risks, nonmaleficence (doing no harm),
autonomy, justice privacy, and promoting respect for persons. As the ethical issues are identified
and explored, options for decision-makers can be developed. Additionally, societal deliberations
about workplace risks of nanotechnologies may be enhanced by special emphasis on small
businesses and adoption of a global perspective.
[Thanks to Shirl Kennedy at Docuticker.com for the tip]
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Environmental Health Perspectives
Ethical and Scientific Issues of Nanotechnology in the Workplace [25 September 2006]
by Paul A. Schulte and Fabio Salamanca-Buentello
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9456/9456.pdf
[full-text, 46 pages]
Abstract
In the absence of scientific clarity about the potential health effects of occupational exposure to
nanoparticles, a need exists for guidance in decision-making about hazards, risks, and controls.
An identification of the ethical issues involved may be useful to decision-makers, particularly
employers, workers, investors, and health authorities. Since the goal of occupational safety and
health is the prevention of disease in workers, the situations that have ethical implications that
most affect workers have been identified. These situations include the (1) identification and
communication of hazards and risks by scientists, authorities, and employers, (2) workers'
acceptance of risk, (3) selection and implementation of controls, (4) establishment of medical
screening programs, and (5) investment in toxicologic and control research. The ethical issues
involve the unbiased determination of hazards and risks, nonmaleficence (doing no harm),
autonomy, justice privacy, and promoting respect for persons. As the ethical issues are identified
and explored, options for decision-makers can be developed. Additionally, societal deliberations
about workplace risks of nanotechnologies may be enhanced by special emphasis on small
businesses and adoption of a global perspective.
[Thanks to Shirl Kennedy at Docuticker.com for the tip]
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************
# posted by SBasefsky : 2:01 PM
