EPA to Accept Public Comment on Nanomaterial Research Strategy

Description

Client AlertFebruary 2008Contact EPA to Accept Public Comment on Nanomaterial Research StrategyRaleigh OfficeOne Bank of America Plaza The Environmental Protection Agency during entire life-cycle; (2) What Suite 1400 (EPA) is stepping up its efforts to technologies are able to detect and 421 Fayetteville Street understand the environmental and human quantify nanomaterials in the environ-Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 health effects of nanotechnology. On ment or in biological samples; (3) [phone] February 13, 2008, the EPA made its draft What processes/properties govern the [phone] Fax Nanomaterial Research Strategy (NRS) environmental fate of nanomaterials available to the public, announced a meet- and how are these related to their Jason S. Thomas ing of independent experts to evaluate the physical and chemical properties; and [phone] NRS, and solicited public comment on the (4) What exposures will result from [e-mail] draft. The NRS will guide the EPA’s Office releases of nanomaterials?of Research and Development in its effort Richmond Office‡ Research Informing Risk to understand the “consequences of nano-Riverfront Plaza, East TowerAssessment: (5) What are the effects materials and how they may impact human 951 East Byrd Streetof engineered nanomaterials and their health and ecosystems.” (NRS, p. 2) Richmond, Virginia 23219applications on human and ecological [phone] The EPA has selected five nanomaterials ...

Informations

• Publié par: Theyf
• Nombre de lectures: 37
• Langue: English

Extrait

February 2008

Contact

Raleigh Office One Bank of America Plaza Suite 1400 421 Fayetteville Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 [phone] [phone]Fax

Jason S. Thomas [phone] [e-mail]

Richmond Office Riverfront Plaza, East Tower 951 East Byrd Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 [phone] [phone]Fax

James N. Christman [phone] [e-mail]

Washington Office 1900 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 [phone] [phone] Fax

Brent A. Fewell [phone] [e-mail]

James W. Rubin [phone] [e-mail]

Steven P. Solow [phone] [e-mail]

David J. van Hoogstraten [phone] [e-mail]

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C lient A lert

EPA to Accept Public Comment on Nanomaterial Research Strategy

The Environmental Protection Agencyduring entire life-cycle; (2) What (EPA) is stepping up its efforts totechnologies are able to detect and understand the environmental and humanquantify nanomaterials in the environ- health effects of nanotechnology. Onment or in biological samples; (3) February 13, 2008, the EPA made its draftWhat processes/properties govern the Nanomaterial Research Strategy (NRS)environmental fate of nanomaterials available to the public, announced a meet-and how are these related to their ing of independent experts to evaluate thephysical and chemical properties; and NRS, and solicited public comment on the(4) What exposures will result from draft. The NRS will guide the EPA’s Officereleases of nanomaterials? of Research and Development in its effort ‡ Research Informing Risk to understand the “consequences of nano- Assessment: (5) What are the effects materials and how they may impact human of engineered nanomaterials and their health and ecosystems.” (NRS, p. 2) applications on human and ecological The EPA has selected five nanomaterials receptors, and how can these effects for study (NRS, p. 51): titanium dioxide be quantified and predicted? (generally used for UV protection and ‡ Risk Assessment Methods and enhanced photoreactivity), zero-valent iron Case Studies: (6) Must current risk (enhanced reactivity promoting groundwa- assessment approaches be amended ter remediation), nanosilver (antibacterial to incorporate special characteristics and antiodor uses), and carbon nanotubes of engineered nanomaterials? and cerium oxide (a wide variety of electri- cal, medical and structural uses at the ‡ Preventing and Mitigating Risks: nanoscale). These materials were selected (7) What technologies or practices will to help the EPA develop predictive models minimize risks of nanomaterials, and and tools applicable to classes of nano- how can nanotechnology’s beneficial materials, rather than testing individual uses be maximized to protect the materials. environment? In the draft NRS, four research themes Versar, Inc., will conduct the NRS review encompassing seven scientific questions in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 11, 2008. are identified. Each of them are exten- Public comments will be accepted by the sively discussed in the NRS (pp. 22–51). EPA until March 14, 2008. The expert The themes and their related questions panel will review these comments and are: will also consider public comments made at the April meeting. (73 Fed. Reg. 8309 ‡ Sources, Fate, Transport and – 8311) Exposure: (1) What nanomaterials have a high potential for release

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