On October 28, 2013, the Wilson Center announced that the updated Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory contains 1,628 consumer products that have been introduced to the market since 2005, which is a 24 percent increase since the last update in 2010. The Wilson Center states that the re-launched inventory “seeks to address scientific uncertainty with contributions from those involved with nanomaterials production, use, and analysis.” The Project on Emerging...
October 30, 2013
FDA Finds Current Regulatory Review Processes Protect Public from Risks of Nanomaterials
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) posted a blog item on October 24, 2013, concerning the use of nanotechnology to develop new drugs. According to the item, “[t]here are already many products made using materials at the nanoscale, including new kinds of clothing, packaging materials, and light-weight, but strong, building materials.” CDER conducted a series of risk assessment and risk management exercises concerning...
October 24, 2013
Particle and Fibre Toxicology Publishes Article Concerning Workplace Exposure to CNTs
On October 21, 2013, Particle and Fibre Toxicology posted an article entitled “Carbon nanotube dosimetry: from workplace exposure assessment to inhalation toxicology.” The authors, who are affiliated with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), note that there are currently no known end-point effects in humans following carbon nanotube (CNT) exposure, leading to extrapolation from rodent studies. The purpose of the study was to determine...
October 16, 2013
Sweden Proposes National Action Plan for Nanomaterials
On October 8, 2013, Sweden issued a report proposing a national action plan for the safe use and management of nanomaterials. The report’s recommendations, as described in the English summary, include specific actions within several categories. Of particular interest are the following categories and specific recommendations: Measures for the development of the European Union’s (EU) regulatory framework: The government and relevant agencies shall work to bring about a revision...
October 11, 2013
PQRI Will Hold Workshop on Nanomaterial Drug Products
The Product Quality Research Institute (PQRI) will hold a January 14-15, 2014, workshop on “Nanomaterial Drug Products: Current Experience and Management of Potential Risks.” The goals and objectives of the workshop, which is co-sponsored by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and endorsed by the Society of Toxicology (SOT) are to: Review analytical science and methods for characterizing nanomaterials; Share...
The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) recently announced the formation of an Intercommittee Task Force (ITF) on Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The ITF will span a wide array of subjects, including environmental policy, measurement, health effects, monitoring, management, and safety issues associated with the development and use of nanomaterials, nanotechnologies, and nanoscale products. Its objectives will likely be: To bring societal recognition,...
September 27, 2013
NICNAS Handbook Includes Appendix on New Chemicals That Are Industrial Nanomaterials
On September 3, 2013, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) posted an electronic copy of its Handbook for Notifiers, which provides guidance for importers and manufacturers of industrial chemicals in Australia. Appendix H includes guidance and requirements for notification of new chemicals that are industrial nanomaterials, and addresses the following topics: NICNAS working definition of industrial nanomaterial; Exemption categories; Permit...
September 25, 2013
EC Submits Proposed Nano Food Labeling Regulation to WTO
On September 11, 2013, the European Commission (EC) submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) a proposed regulation amending Regulation 1169/2011 concerning the provision of food information to consumers as regards the definition of engineered nanomaterials (ENM). The proposed regulation states that since the regulation refers to ENMs and not nanomaterials in general, natural and incidental nanomaterials should not be included in the definition. The proposed regulation...
September 23, 2013
OECD Approves Recommendation on Managing Risks Associated with Manufactured Nanomaterials
On September 20, 2013, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced a recommendation that its Member Countries apply existing regulatory frameworks to manage risks associated with manufactured nanomaterials. The Recommendation, approved on September 19, 2013, expands the scope of the Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) in the Assessment of Chemicals to include nanomaterials. Since 2006, OECD has been working to develop approaches for addressing risk...
September 20, 2013
Nickel Nanoparticles Nominated for Listing in Report on Carcinogens
On September 20, 2013, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) published a Federal Register notice requesting information on 20 substances, mixtures, and exposure circumstances, including nickel nanoparticles, nominated for possible review for future editions of the Report on Carcinogens (RoC). NTP seeks information concerning: (1) data on current production, use patterns, and human exposure; (2) information about published, ongoing, or planned studies related to evaluating...