Join The Industry Consortium for Environmental Measurement of Nanomaterials (ICEMN)

(Nanowerk News) BASF Corporation is interested in working collaboratively with other nanomaterial stakeholders and the academic community to provide the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) information on analytical methods which could be used to measure certain nanoscale materials in air, surface water, and soil. The collaborative project, -- known as the Industry Consortium for Environmental Measurement of Nanomaterials (ICEMN) will involve adapting known methods which are used to measure these substances in other media to the analysis of environmental media. The term of the consortium will be at least two years, which can be modified by mutual agreement.
We provide more information on ICEMN below, and ask that you consider joining this voluntary, dues free consortium, and sharing this information with interested others.
Background
Beginning the second half of 2008, DTSC started the process of requesting information regarding analytical test methods, fate, and transport in the environment, and other relevant information from manufacturers of certain chemicals of concern, pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 289. The process of obtaining such information is called a "data call-in". The term "manufacturers" includes persons and businesses that produce chemicals in California, or import chemicals into California for sale. The purpose of these information requests is to identify information gaps and to develop information about the chemicals.
The next DCI will focus on nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), cerium oxide, silver, quantum dots, and zerovalent iron. We are directing this communication to you based on our understanding that you have an interest and/or expertise in one or more of these nanoscale materials.
Opportunity
DTSC is eager to engage nanoscale related industry/businesses and stakeholders to form a consortium that would include business, DTSC, and interested academics (California-based and beyond) to develop methodologies/techniques that can allow DTSC (and others) to measure environmental concentrations of these nanomaterials.
We have reached out to experts within BASF to obtain their sweat equity and expertise regarding measuring TiO2 and ZnO in any medium, and to determine if those methods can be applied to air, water, and soil. We need other companies and experts to provide similar expertise for the other nanomaterials of interest to provide DTSC with the help it needs. We know that ultimately our investment now will benefit greatly the nano community.
Proposal
  • Establish a consortium of interested companies under the management of B&C Consortium Management, L.L.C., which has graciously offered to manage the consortium free of charge and seek reimbursement only for out of pocket costs such as conference calls and related disbursements.
  • Identify two to three academics/governmental experts who are knowledgeable and who can contribute sweat equity.
  • Engage DTSC, via conference calls, and one face-to-face in Sacramento or Los Angeles to develop a statement of work for the project, suggest reasonable approaches, and propose experimental work. The product of our consortium would be a report to DTSC on methods and validation steps. We can discuss at a later date how much investment we may wish to devote to support the methods/testing validation.
  • Source: B&C Consortia Management (press release)