Nanotechnology and the Environmental Protection Agency

Nora Savage, Ph.D., and Anita Street, M.P.H.

Nanotechnology has both applications and implications for the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supporting collaborative research in this technology while evaluating its regulatory responsibility to protect the environment and human health. For EPA, the opportunity exists both to employ nanotechnology to prevent and solve environmental problems, and to proactively develop approaches that will foster innovation while ensuring the environmentally sound production, use, reuse, and disposal of nanomaterials. To accomplish the mission to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment, it is incumbent upon the agency to better understand the risks and benefits associated with the various applications of nanotechnology. Perhaps, the greatest challenge lies in ensuring that, as nanomaterials are developed and used, unintended consequences and risks are minimized or prevented to the extent possible -- particularly, given the already widespread commercial usage of nanomaterials in consumer products, such as sunscreens, clothing, cosmetics, and medical devices.

The differences between engineered nanoparticles and their conventional elemental equivalents -- morphology, surface properties (coatings or functionalizations), size, and charge -- make risk assessment of nanomaterials a complex, time-consuming, and expensive proposition. Uncovering the data that hold the key to understanding critical science questions is the motivating factor behind EPA's increased involvement in this research area. EPA's Office of Research and Development scientists are applying their considerable expertise in critical areas such as toxicology, fate and transport, exposure and risk assessment, and risk management, targeting research toward the identification of beneficial applications.

Under the auspices of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), EPA has assumed a leadership role in setting the directions for research at the national level concerning both the environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology. Since 2001, EPA has awarded approximately $12.2 million for the study of applications of nanotechnology to solve environmental problems, and $17.4 million has been awarded for the study of ecological and human health implications. Moreover, results of the research funded under its grants program have helped to clarify important questions, principally in the use of nanomaterials for environmental cleanup/remediation and in better understanding the reactive nature of nanomaterials once they are introduced into biological systems. These questions relate to: the environmental and health effects from exposure to materials that may be persistent and highly reactive; how those materials move through and interact in the various media -- water, soil, and air; and how to utilize nanotechnology to better measure pollutants in the environment. A more detailed description of EPA's research needs can be found in the draft Nanotechnology White Paper, available at: http://www.epa.gov/osa.

While these questions are critical to answer in the context of EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, research into commercial applications of nano-based products show great promise for environmental protection. Ongoing research in photovoltaics may lead to important innovations in solar power generation. Advances in nano-based remote sensing technologies have implications for assessment, diagnostics, and forecasting of environmental conditions. Finally, nanotechnology-based treatment and remediation techniques, and environmentally benign manufacturing processes can lead to significant potential enhancements to environmental protection.

In addition to its research program and interagency activities, EPA is engaged in a number of other complementary efforts. For example, EPA is developing a stewardship program for new and existing nanoscale materials that are subject to Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirements. Information from the stewardship program and utilization of other TSCA authorities will enable EPA and the public to gain a better understanding of risk-related issues pertaining to nanoscale materials. On the international front, EPA is participating in an effort under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to promote global cooperation, coordination, and communication among OECD member countries, non- members, industry, and NGOs on matters related to all aspects of nanotechnology.

In November 2006, top scientists led by Dr. Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor to the Woodrow Wilson Center Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies proposed a framework comprised of five "Grand Challenges" for evaluating the environmental health and safety risks associated with nanotechnology. The group hopes that the proffered research strategy will be adopted by the global science community and foster the responsible development of nanotechnology.

Nora Savage, Ph.D., is an Environmental Engineer with five years experience at EPA in the Office of Research and Development. Dr. Savage is also the agency representative for the National Nanotechnology Initiative. She can be contacted at savage.nora@epa.gov.

Anita Street, M.P.H., is an Environmental Scientist with 16 years of EPA experience. Ms. Street has spent the last 4 years of her career in the Office of Research and Development where she manages an environmental futures project. She can be contacted at street.anita@epa.gov.

References

John C. Monica Jr., Scientists Present "Five Grand Challenges" Regarding Future Nano-EHS Research, Nanotechnology L. Report (Nov. 16, 2006), available at http://www.nanolawreport.com/2006/11/articles/scientists-present-five-grand-challenges-regarding-future-nanoehs-research/.

Safe Handling of Nanotechnology, 444 Nature 243-400 (Nov. 16, 2006).

William H.Farland, Opportunities, Challenges for EPA, The Environmental L. Forum, (July/Aug. 2005).