The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published a March 23, 2018, report entitled Evaluation of in vitro methods for human hazard assessment applied in the OECD Testing Programme for the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials. The Testing Program for the Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials tested 11 manufactured nanomaterials to generate information, including their physico-chemical properties, environmental fate, and environmental and mammalian...
March 26, 2018
Australia Begins Public Consultation on Draft Documents to Implement New Industrial Chemicals Scheme
The Australian government is reforming the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) to make regulatory effort more proportionate to risk; promote safer innovation by encouraging the introduction of lower risk chemicals; and continue to protect workers, the public, and the environment from any harmful effects of industrial chemicals. NICNAS has begun a public consultation on the following draft documents that, together with the Industrial...
March 21, 2018
EC Requests Scientific Opinion on Two Coatings for Titanium Dioxide (Nano Form) as a UV-Filter in Dermally Applied Cosmetic Products
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) announced on March 20, 2018, that the European Commission (EC) requested a scientific opinion on two coatings for titanium dioxide (nano form) (methicone and perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane) as an ultraviolet (UV)-filter in dermally applied cosmetic products. In its July 2013 safety evaluation of titanium dioxide (nano), SCCS listed substances considered safe for use as coatings for titanium dioxide (nano). SCCS stated that...
The European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) announced on March 20, 2018, that its preliminary opinion on colloidal silver (nano) is available for comment. According to the preliminary opinion, the EC received 63 notifications of cosmetic products containing colloidal silver in nano form. According to the applicants, the ingredient is used in nano uncoated form both in leave-on and rinse-off oral cosmetics products, including toothpastes and...
March 19, 2018
New ECHA Website Includes Information on Nanomaterials
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on March 15, 2018, a new website, “Chemicals in our life.” The website is available in 23 European Union (EU) languages and “provides useful information on the benefits and risks of using chemicals and explains how the EU legislation on chemicals protects us.” In its press release, ECHA notes that the website allows users to explore parts of the EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON). Several articles on nanomaterials...
March 16, 2018
NIOSH Draft NORA for Respiratory Health Recommends Preventing Dust-Induced Lung Diseases, Including Those Associated with Nanomaterials
On March 15, 2018, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the availability of the draft National Occupational Research Agenda for Respiratory Health for public comment. The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) is a partnership program created to stimulate innovative research and improved workplace practices. The draft NORA for Respiratory Health is the first NORA to address respiratory health, and it is intended to...
March 14, 2018
NIOSH Publishes Poster Regarding Controlling Health Hazards When Working with Nanomaterials
As reported in our March 13, 2018, blog item, on March 9, 2018, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published three documents in its Workplace Design Solutions series that address nanomaterials. On March 12, 2018, NIOSH announced the availability of the new Workplace Design Solutions documents, as well as a poster, “Controlling Health Hazards When Working with Nanomaterials: Questions to Ask Before You Start.” According to NIOSH,...
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began its Prevention through Design (PtD) initiative in 2007. NIOSH states that its mission is to reduce or prevent occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by considering hazard prevention in the design, re-design, and retrofit of new and existing workplaces, tools, equipment, and work processes. On March 9, 2018, NIOSH published three documents in its Workplace Design Solutions series. NIOSH recommends...
On March 5, 2018, the European Commission (EC) announced the availability of a Communication to the European Parliament (EP), the Council of the European Union (EU), and the European Economic and Social Committee on the operation of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. The Communication includes proposals intended to facilitate further the implementation of REACH. The scope of the EC’s evaluation includes a...
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a Federal Register notice on March 1, 2018, announcing that it will hold a public hearing on April 11, 2018, to receive comments about CPSC’s agenda and priorities for fiscal years (FY) 2019-2020. CPSC’s Fiscal Year 2019 Performance Budget Request to Congress states that CPSC “will continue supporting nanotechnology research, coordinating with other federal agencies to extend limited...