| Posted: January 28, 2008 |
EPA seeks data about nanoscale materials |
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(Nanowerk News) What are the human health and
environmental risks and benefits of nanoscale chemical products? That's
what EPA wants to find out with its just-announced Nanoscale Materials
Stewardship Program (NMSP). Engineered nanoscale materials range in
size from 1-100 nanometers (nm) and may have very different properties
than the same materials at a larger scale.
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"This program will help strengthen the scientific understanding of
nanoscale materials and allow the EPA to more quickly to assemble the
information needed to ensure appropriate oversight of the products of
this promising technology", said Jim Gulliford, EPA's Assistant
Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
"Participation in this program can help assure the responsible
development, use, and acceptance of these materials in the marketplace."
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The program calls on manufacturers, importers, processors, and users of
engineered nanoscale materials to report to EPA key information about
these materials within six months. The agency will evaluate the
information to help ensure the safe manufacture and use of these
materials.
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EPA will also work with manufacturers, importers, processors, and users
of nanoscale materials to develop test data to provide a scientific
basis for assessing the hazards, exposures, and risks of nanoscale
materials. The NMSP will complement and support EPA's new and existing
chemical programs under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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The NMSP includes, but is not limited to, existing chemical nanoscale
materials manufactured or imported for commercial purposes as defined by
TSCA. EPA encourages manufacturers and importers of new nanoscale
materials, which are subject to TSCA reporting requirements prior to
manufacture, as well as researchers to consider reporting under the
NMSP. The NMSP will help provide a firmer, scientific foundation for
regulatory decisions by encouraging the development of key scientific
information and use of risk management practices in developing and
commercializing nanoscale materials.
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Information on NMSP: http://epa.gov/oppt/nano/stewardship.htm
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For more information on Nanotechnology under the Toxic Substances
Control Act: http://epa.gov/oppt/nano
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The Federal Register notice announcing the NMSP can be downloaded here (pdf download, 76 KB).
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