Nanotechnology White Paper - US Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Although the industry is relatively new, the private sector is leading a number of
initiatives. Several U.S. nanotechnology trade associations have emerged, including the
NanoBusiness Alliance. The American Chemistry Council also has a committee devoted to
nanotechnology and is encouraging research into the environmental health and safety of
nanomaterials. In addition, the Nanoparticle Occupational Safety and Health Consortium has
been formed by industry to investigate occupational safety and health issues associated with
aerosol nanoparticles and workplace exposure monitoring and protocols. A directory of
nanotechnology industry-related organizations can be found at http://www.nanovip.com.
Environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Environmental Defense,
Greenpeace UK, ETC Group, and the Natural Resources Defense Council are engaged in
nanotechnology issues. Also, scientific organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences,
the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, and the International Life Sciences Institute are
providing important advice on issues related to nanotechnology and the environment.
1.4.3 International Activities
Fully understanding the environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology
will depend on the concerted efforts of scientists and policy makers across the globe. Europe
and Asia match or exceed the U.S. federal nanotechnology research budget. Globally,
nanotechnology research and development spending is estimated at around $9 billion (Lux
Research, 2006). Thus, a great opportunity exists for internationally coordinated and integrated
efforts toward environmental research. Other governments have also undertaken efforts to
identify research needs for nanomaterials (United Kingdom (UK) Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs, 2005; European Union Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly
Identified Health Risks (EU SCENIHR), 2005). International organizations such as the
International Standards Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) are engaged in nanotechnology issues. ISO has established a technical
committee to develop international standards for nanotechnologies. This technical committee,
ISO/TC 229 will develop standards for terminology and nomenclature, metrology and
instrumentation, including specifications for reference materials, test methodologies, modeling
and simulation, and science-based health, safety and environmental practices.
The OECD has engaged the topic of the implications of manufactured nanomaterials
among its members under the auspices of the Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and
Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology (Chemicals Committee). On the
basis of an international workshop hosted by EPA in Washington in December 2005, the Joint
Meeting has agreed to establish a subsidiary body to work on the environmental health and
safety implications of manufactured nanomaterials, with an eye towards enhancing international
harmonization and burden sharing. In a related activity, the OECD’s Committee on Scientific
and Technology Policy is considering establishing a subsidiary body to address other issues
related to realizing commercial and public benefits of advances in nanotechnology.
Additionally, the United States and European Union Initiative to Enhance Transatlantic
Economic Integration and Growth (June 2005) addresses nanotechnology. Specifically, the
Initiative states that the United States and the European Union will work together to, among
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