Cadmus Principal Organizes Nanomaterials Group for International Risk Analysis Organization

Watertown, Mass. January 4, 2007 — Jo Anne Shatkin, Ph.D., a principal with The Cadmus Group, Inc., has organized the Emerging Nanoscale Materials Specialty (EMNMS) Group of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) and is serving as its interim chair. The EMNMS Group aims to:

• Facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge among practitioners, researchers, scholars, teachers, and others interested in risk analysis and emerging nanoscale materials.
• Encourage collaborative research on risk analysis and emerging nanoscale materials.
• Provide leadership and play an active role in advancing issues related to risk analysis and emerging nanoscale materials.

“At every conference about nanotechnology that I’ve attended, everyone is talking about risk and safety related to nanomaterials,” said Dr. Shatkin. “It was just logical that SRA would provide leadership and expertise on this issue. I thought SRA belonged in this arena, and the Society agreed.”

The SRA Council approved the formation of the EMNMS Group at its December 5, 2006, business meeting. More information can be found at http://www.sra.org

The EMNMS Group will be a focal point for anyone interested in this topic, whether or not he or she is a member of the SRA, according to Dr. Shatkin. Various activities for the Group are being considered, including organizing a workshop to address pressing issues regarding nanotechnology and risk. Other activities the Group may undertake are the creation of a forum for the exchange of ideas on the potential risks of nanomaterials, and the development and discussion of tools and methods for gauging the risks and benefits of nanomaterials.

An expert in risk assessment, Dr. Shatkin heads Cadmus’ Risk, Health, and Safety Practice. She is the author and co-author of numerous papers and articles on issues related to nanotechnology, and she recently organized a workshop to provide professionals with essential information to understand the potential risks of nanotechnology and the implications for their business.

About the Cadmus Group, Inc.

Founded in 1983, employee-owned Cadmus (https://cadmusgroup.com) helps government, nonprofit, and corporate clients address critical challenges in the environmental and energy sectors. We provide an array of research and analytical services in the United States and abroad, specializing in solving complex problems that demand innovative, multidisciplinary thinking. Among Cadmus’ major practice areas are Drinking Water and Water Quality, Communications and Social Marketing, Energy Services (including energy efficiency and renewable energy), Risk Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmentally Sound Design, and Environmental Management.

Our staff includes scientists; engineers; statisticians; economists; MBAs; marketing, public relations, and communications professionals; attorneys; information technology specialists; and public policy analysts. Many of our senior consultants are nationally recognized experts in their fields and several serve on high-level U.S. government science advisory boards.