EPA Supports Research of Health, Environmental Effects of Nanomaterials
October 12, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled a research strategy to study how manufactured nanomaterials may harm human health and the environment.
The strategy outlines what research EPA will support over the next several years to generate information about the safe use of nanotechnology and products that contain nanoscale materials.
The strategy also includes research into ways nanotechnology can be used to clean up toxic chemicals in the environment.
The research will focus on:
- Identifying sources of nanomaterials and how they are transported through the environment to their destination (fate and transport) and how people may be affected by exposure to nanomaterials.
- Understanding human health and ecological effects to assist with conducting risk assessments and development of scientific methods to help with risk assessments
- Developing risk assessment approaches that can be used in decision-making to identify and evaluate potential risks of nanomaterials.
- Preventing and mitigating risks of nanomaterials in the environment.
EPA's role among federal agencies is to determine the potential hazards of nanotechnology and develop approaches to reduce or minimize any risks identified.
As part of the strategy, researchers will investigate widely used nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, which are used in vehicles, sports equipment and electronics; and titanium dioxide, which is used in paints, cosmetics and sunscreens.
More information about the research is at http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).