The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) is looking to submit an application for funding a long-term study investigating the impacts of exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on worker health. To help receive the funding required to conduct this important research, IOM is looking for letters of support from UK based industry participants to show the study can achieve the desired impact.

During the study, participating companies will be visited annually for up to 5 years (1 day per year). The visit will involve collecting exposure samples at fixed locations and personal samples (a small pump and device will be placed on workers handling ENMs). At the end of the working day, workers would be asked to participate in the biomarker assessment by providing a sample of a biological fluid (e.g. saliva, urine, blood).

The data collected in the study will be used to establish links between ENM exposure and longer-term health effects. Companies and workers will not be identified or disclosed to other participating companies. All information collected will be retained by IOM and not disclosed to any third party.

If you would like more information about the prospective study, please contact IOM directly:

Polly McLean, Research Scientist, Polly.McLean@iom-world.org

Prof Damien McElvenny, Principal Epidemiologist, Damien.McElvenny@iom-world.org