On November 17, 2011, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Committee's Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on legislation intended to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847). Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), who introduced the legislation on April 14, 2011, and is Chair of the Subcommittee, will chair the hearing. The Safe Chemicals Act is intended to modernize TSCA to require...
November 10, 2011
ICON Announces Availability of Presentation Slides from Training Course
On November 8, 2011, the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) announced the availability of the presentation slides from the modules for the training course entitled “Introduction to Nanomaterials and Occupational Health.” The course was developed under a grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and is intended to prepare safety professionals to address issues that may arise in the nanomaterial workplace by providing a comprehensive review of...
On November 8, 2011, CropLife America and the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) Pesticides, Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know Committee convened a program entitled "What's New, What's Hot in Pesticide Law and Policy." Rosemarie Kelley, Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Civil Enforcement's Waste and Chemical Enforcement Division, gave a presentation concerning EPA's pesticide enforcement priorities....
The November 9, 2011, issue of New Haven Independent quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of nanotechnology.
The November 9, 2011, issue of BNA Daily Environment Report quotes James V. Aidala regarding the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements for pesticides. According to Aidala, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) immediate focus on education rather than enforcement will give Congress time to pass legislation to end the permitting requirements.
November 9, 2011
EPA Seeks Information Concerning Discharges of Nanosilver from Industrial Manufacturing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in an October 26, 2011, Federal Register notice its final 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan, which includes a request for comment and information for its 2011 annual reviews. EPA requests information on a number of topics, including discharges of nanosilver from industrial manufacturing. EPA cites nanosilver’s use as an active pesticide ingredient, an antimicrobial in fabric; a preservative in textile products,...
November 9, 2011
Environmental Law Institute (ELI) Twentieth Annual Eastern Boot Camp on Environmental Law, November 9-11, 2011. Washington, D.C.
Lynn L. Bergeson spoke on federal chemical regulation. Click here for more information.
James V. Aidala participated in a panel on "Current Hot Topics -- Regulatory and Beyond." Click here for more information.
November 7, 2011
Nanotechnology Caucus Will Hold Briefing on Jobs and Nanotechnology
The Nanotechnology Caucus will hold a briefing on November 15, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. concerning jobs and nanotechnology. The briefing will focus on how targeted federal investments can lead to jobs down the road. More details will be forthcoming.
On November 3, 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) began a consultation on a testing proposal for multi-wall carbon nanotubes, synthetic graphite in tubular shape. Under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program, manufacturers and importers must obtain information on toxic effects of substances. REACH requires that new testing of a substance involving vertebrate animals be carried out only as a last resort, however. ECHA states that, to...