EPA Unified Agenda: EPA May Issue Significant New Use Rule for Nanoscale Materials in February 2008
In case you missed the explanation in previous articles, nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. A nanometer is about one ten-thousandth the diameter of a human hair. Materials made using nanotechnology, also known as nanoscale materials, may have organizations and properties different than the same chemical substances displayed at a larger scale. And don’t think these are “space” age products – many are being developed to replace everyday items. More than 700 nanoproducts are currently available on the U.S. market. Nanotechnology materials currently in the marketplace include:
- Burn and wound dressings
- Water filtration devices
- Industrial catalysts
- A dental-bonding agent
- Step assists on vans
- Coatings that allow for easier-cleaning glass
- Bumpers and catalytic converters on cars
- Protective and glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses
- Sunscreens and cosmetics
- Longer-lasting tennis balls
- Light-weight, stronger tennis racquets
- Stain-free clothing and mattresses
- Ink
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s unified regulatory agenda, published in December, includes a notice on the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP), which is a voluntary program that EPA established to assemble existing data and information from manufacturers and processors of certain nanoscale materials. The notice states that, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA has the authority to require the development of data necessary for risk assessment when statutory findings concerning (1) production volume and exposure/entry into the environment or (2) potential hazard, can be made, and to prevent and eliminate unreasonable risk of injury to human health and the environment. EPA added that “[i]f information from the NMSP or other information indicates potential new uses of existing chemicals that may result in new exposures or to fill information gaps, EPA may issue a significant new use rule or section 8 reporting rule under TSCA.”
This follows EPA’s July 2007 announcement of the availability of an NMSP concept paper, a proposed information collection request and a paper that describes determining the TSCA inventory status of nanoscale materials. According to the unified regulatory agenda notice, EPA intends to publish in February 2008 a final NMSP notice, including final versions of any documents.
For more information about Reed Smith's nanotechnology team, please visit their Nanotechnology Team Page.
