On June 10, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed significant new use rules (SNUR) for 30 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMN), including functionalized carbon nanotubes (generic) (PMN Number P-13-793). On October 27, 2014, EPA promulgated a SNUR for this PMN substance through a direct final rule. EPA withdrew the SNUR on December 23, 2014, after receiving notice of intent to submit adverse comments. According to the June 10,...
June 11, 2015
EPA Promulgates SNUR for Graphene Nanoplatelets
On June 5, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated through a direct final rule significant new use rules (SNUR) for 22 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMN), including graphene nanoplatelets having a predominant thickness of 1-10 layers with lateral dimension predominantly less than 2 microns (PMN Number P-14-763). This substance is subject to a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(e) consent order that includes the following...
June 9, 2015
OECD Finds Standard Test Guidelines for Normal Chemical Substances Are in Most Part Suitable for Nanomaterials
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) issued a June 9, 2015, press release entitled “OECD chemical studies show way forward for nanomaterial safety.” The press release states: Today the OECD marked the end of a seven-year experimental testing program, investigating 11 commercially viable nanomaterials across over 110 different chemical tests; The results were coordinated from across 11 countries with tests and data generated from dozens of government...
June 8, 2015
NIOSH Announces Paper Outlining Risks to Health Care Workers from Nano-Enabled Medical Products
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced that in a paper published May 7, 2015, online ahead of print in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, “NIOSH authors Vladimir Murashov and John Howard highlight occupational risk mitigation practices for nano-enabled medical products throughout their life cycle for major health care workplace settings.” The manuscript highlights occupational risk mitigation practices for nano-enabled medical...
June 1, 2015
Proposed Harmonized Classification and Labeling Would Apply to Nanosized Titanium Dioxide
On May 31, 2016, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) began a public consultation on a harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) proposal submitted by France for titanium dioxide. The proposed entry in Annex VI of the Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation is “Carc. 1B, H350i.” The CLH report states: “Based on available evidence and information in the registration dossier (e.g. mechanism of carcinogenicity, characterization of the particles), the proposed...
June 1, 2015
CPSC and NNI Will Hold Workshop on Quantifying Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials from Manufactured Products
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is sponsoring a July 7-8, 2015, workshop, co-sponsored by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), entitled “Quantifying Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials from Manufactured Products — Addressing Environmental, Health, and Safety Implications.” This is a technical workshop to determine the state of the science and the tools and methods available to characterize and quantify exposure to engineered nanomaterials from consumer products....
May 27, 2015
NanoBCA Holds Roundtable in Washington, D.C.
Pictured left to right: TJ Augustine, Technology-to-Market Advisor, ARPA-E; Matthew Putman, Founder and CEO, Nanotronics Imaging; Chandra Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, International Trade Administration; Doug Jamieson, Chairman and CEO, Harris & Harris Group; Matthew Portnoy, Director, Division of Special Programs, Office of Extramural Research, NIH; Lynn L. Bergeson, Owner and Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.; John Williams, Director of Innovation,...
On May 19, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it issued a conditional registration for a nanosilver-containing antimicrobial pesticide product named “NSPW-L30SS,” or “Nanosilva.” This is the second nanosilver registration issued by EPA and reflects the Agency’s growing expertise in addressing, processing, and approving nanopesticide registration applications. According to EPA, the product will be used as a non-food-contact preservative to protect...
May 13, 2015
Nano Community Members Can Benefit from Membership in the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization
Membership in the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) offers a number of benefits to members of the nano community. As a member of the Governing Board, I strongly recommend that you consider joining and become part of the SNO family. SNO’s purpose is to provide a professional society forum to advance knowledge in all aspects of sustainable nanotechnology, including both applications and implications. SNO is comprised of individuals and institutions that are engaged in:...
May 12, 2015
NNCO Will Hold SME Webinar on May 20
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) will hold its next webinar focusing on the experiences, successes, and challenges for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) working in nanotechnology and on issues of interest to the business community on May 20, 2015, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (EDT). The webinar will include the following speakers: Ajay P. Malshe, Founder, Executive Vice President, and Chief Technical Officer of NanoMech. NanoMech has developed patented...