Posted: Jun 26, 2014

National Nanotechnology Initiative releases progress review on environmental, health, safety research

(Nanowerk News) The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) released a Progress Review on the Coordinated Implementation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative 2011 Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Strategy (pdf), a document that demonstrates the wide range of research activities, accomplishments, and collaborations of Federal agencies working toward the responsible development of nanotechnology.

Progress Review on the Coordinated Implementation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative 2011 Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Strategy

This document is a result of efforts by the Federal agencies participating in the Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI) Working Group. NEHI is a Working Group of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), a cabinet-level interagency council that coordinates science and technology policy across the Federal Government.

As described in the document, coordination of research across NEHI participating agencies from FY 2009-FY 2012 has enabled significant progress towards:

Development of measurement tools that consider the full life cycles of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs)

Collection of exposure assessment data and resources for workplace exposure control strategies

Enhanced understanding of interactions between ENMs and biological systems

Improved assessment of transport and transformations of ENMs

Development of principles for establishing robust risk assessment and risk management practices for ENMs and nanotechnology-enabled products

Improved approaches for identifying, characterizing, and communicating risks to all stakeholders

Coordination of efforts to enhance data quality, modeling, and simulation capabilities for nanotechnology

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) will be hosting a webinar to highlight the release of this document, describe key advances, and answer questions from stakeholders and the public on the contents of the report. Details will be provided when available on Nano.gov.

Source: National Nanotechnology Initiative