The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released on April 13, 2011, chemical action plans for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and related compounds. According to EPA, Americans may be exposed to these chemicals when they are used in certain applications, such as spray foam insulation, sealing concrete, or finishing floors. EPA states that diisocyanates are used to make polyurethane polymers. Most polyurethane products, such as foam mattresses or bowling...
April 14, 2011
House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on NNI Oversight
On April 14, 2011, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing entitled “Nanotechnology: Oversight of the National Nanotechnology Initiative and Priorities for the Future.” Witnesses included: Dr. Clayton Teague, Director, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO); Dr. Jeffrey Welser, Director, Nanoelectronics Research Initiative, Semiconductor Research Corporation; Dr. Seth Rudnick, Chairman of the Board, Liquidia...
April 13, 2011
ECHA Updates REACH-IT to Allow Submission of Notifications for Substances in Articles
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on April 13, 2011, that it has updated REACH-IT to allow the submission of notifications for substances in articles. Beginning June 1, 2011, companies must notify to ECHA substances present in articles they produce or import that were included on the substances of very high concern (SVHC) Candidate List before December 1, 2010, if both of the following conditions are met: The SVHC is present in those articles at a volume of >1 metric ton per...
April 12, 2011
National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) Washington Forum, April 12-14, 2011. Arlington, Virginia.
Lynn L. Bergeson spoke on April 13, 2011. Click here for more information.
On April 6, 2011, several members of the NanoSafety Consortium submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a proposed testing agreement under Section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Under the proposed testing agreement, the substances to be tested may include multi-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene nanoplatelets. Participants would conduct 90-day inhalation toxicity studies in rats, and submit...
The April 11, 2011, BNA Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding regulation on nanoscale materials, and the need to provide the public the confidence that they are safe.
On the 7th March 2011, the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it sought comments and information on the types of hazard identification and risk management research that it should consider in updating the NIOSH 2009 nanotechnology strategic plan. What follows is an explanation of why NIOSH's continuing research is essential, and why stakeholders are urged to help shape the content and direction of the...
On April 14, 2011, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education will hold a hearing entitled “Nanotechnology: Oversight of the National Nanotechnology Initiative and Priorities for the Future.” Witnesses will include: Dr. Clayton Teague, Director, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office; Dr. Jeffrey Welser, Director, Nanoelectronics Research Initiative, Semiconductor Research Corporation; Dr. Seth Rudnick, Chairman of the...
At the April 7-8, 2011, CropLife America and RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) Spring Conference in Washington, D.C., the future of nanotechnology and its applications in the agricultural sector was the subject of a panel discussion.
On May 19, 2011, the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Committee on Pesticides, Chemical Regulation and Right-to-Know will convene a webinar on global nanotechnology governance initiatives. The program will explore the new and creative applications of existing regulatory tools and governance approaches to address the potential risks of nanotechnologies, implement new risk assessment approaches to evolving technologies, and maximize the potential...