Posted: August 1, 2007

Environmental Defense to critique EPA's proposal for a scaled-back Voluntary Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program

(Nanowerk News)
What
A public meeting to comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed development of a voluntary Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ- OPPT-2004-0122.
Who
Richard A. Denison, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Environmental Defense, a member of the federal advisory committee that originally counseled EPA on nanotechnology two years ago. Denison is the only member of that committee who will testify at the public meeting. For an advance copy of his testimony, please email [email protected].
Why
Nanomaterials -- measuring in billionths of a meter -- are already showing up in hundreds of consumer products, ranging from paints to cosmetics to stain-resistant treatments for clothing. Initial studies show that some of them may be able to enter the body and even individual cells and, once there, can cause damage. The EPA must act aggressively to protect the public and the environment from the potential risks of engineered nanoscale materials. Instead of the proposed voluntary program, Environmental Defense is urging EPA to rapidly develop and implement mandatory reporting rules to level the playing field for the nanotechnology industry and ensure that relevant information is communicated.
When
Thursday, August 2, 2007, 9:00 am EDT
Where
Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge 1900 Fort Myer Dr. Arlington, VA 22209 Contact: Julie Huddleston, Environmental Defense, (202) 572-3369, [email protected]
Source: Environmental Defense