http://us.mg205.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.partner=sbc&.gx=1&.rand=8g3r2cbiv13ku
WASHINGTON, DC—The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are collaborating in a worldwide
research effort to assess any potential impacts of nanomaterials on
people’s health and the environment. Nanomaterials appear in many
household products ranging from clothing to building materials. For
example, one ongoing study evaluates the potential human and
environmental effects from exposure to copper nanomaterials, an
ingredient in wood treatment products used on wood for building decks
and fences.
The
emerging field of nanotechnology has led to substantial advances in
energy, medicine, electronics, and clean technologies. The field relies
on using materials at the nanoscale level, these nanomaterials are made
up of very small particles, which are about 100,000 times smaller than
the width of a human hair. Because of the unique properties of these
materials, it is important to conduct research to identify methods that
will allow manufacturers and other stakeholders to ensure that products
containing these materials do not harm people or the environment.
“Nanotechnology
and nanomaterials used in the development of these products improve our
everyday lives, but it is important that we understand how humans are
exposed to nanomaterials and to assess the risks they may pose to
people’s health and the environment,” said Dr. Tina Bahadori, national
program director for EPA’s Chemical Safety for Sustainability Research.
“This innovative research greatly improves what is known about
nanomaterials and will inform the future design of more sustainable,
effective nanomaterials.”
“These
tiny nanomaterials are widely used in products ranging from clothing to
sunscreen, but the need for additional research and knowledge on how
they affect consumers is great. The CPSC staff is working diligently to
meet the challenges involved in regulating this emerging technology and
is pleased to be collaborating with staff at EPA to develop test methods
and exposure data to adequately address health and safety concerns”
said Dr. Treye Thomas, program manager for the CPSC Nanotechnology
program.
EPA's collaborative research with CSPC is part of a larger international effort that focuses on:
• Identifying, characterizing and quantifying the origins of nanomaterials
• Studying biological processes affected by nanomaterials that could influence risk
• Determining how nanomaterials interact with complex systems in the human body and the environment
• Involving industry to develop sustainable manufacturing processes
• Sharing knowledge through innovative online applications that allow for rapid feedback and accelerated research progress
CPSC,
in working with other federal agencies, ensures that common public
health concerns are met and will use research findings to inform:
• Protocol development to assess the potential release of nanomaterials from consumer products
• Credible rules for consumer product testing to evaluate exposure
• Determination of the potential public health impacts of nanomaterial used in consumer products
This
research is a part of the U.S. government’s efforts to assess the
potential risks of nanomaterials. These efforts are coordinated by the
U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). NNI is a collaborative
project comprised of 25 agencies, including EPA and CPSC.
More information about EPA’s nanomaterials research: http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience/
More information about CPSC’s nanomaterials research: http://www.nano.gov/node/139
More information about the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative: http://www.nano.gov/
No comments:
Post a Comment