September 23, 2011

Meeting of Nano Interests Held in Washington, D.C.

On September 22, 2011, during a meeting of nano interests in Washington, D.C., the following people spoke: Jeffrey Weiss, Senior Director, Technical Barriers to Trade, Office of the United States Trade Representative, “U.S. Trade Policy and Nanotechnology”; Richard A. Canady, Ph.D., Director, Center for Human Health Risk Assessment Research Foundation, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), “NanoRelease and NanoCharacter Projects”; and Maria J. Doa, Ph.D., Acting Director of...
September 23, 2011

State FIFRA Issues Research & Evaluation Group Meeting

On September 19-20, 2011, the Pesticide Operations Management (POM) Working Committee (WC) of the State Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Issues Research & Evaluation Group (SFIREG) met in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices in Arlington, Virginia. Through a cooperative agreement in 1978, EPA and the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) created SFIREG, an AAPCO committee with EPA funding, to promote information exchange and...
September 21, 2011

SNWG Releases Statement Concerning Nanosilver

The Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) recently prepared a statement concerning nanosilver and its long history of safe and regulated use. SNWG notes the similarities between nanosilver and other antimicrobial silver materials available in the marketplace.  SNWG states that it “has interacted with the [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)] in challenged exchanges on how best to regulate nanopesticides leading to a clear, reasonable, and responsible path for...
September 20, 2011

Study Examines Cell Entry of One-Dimensional Nanomaterials

On September 18, 2011, Nature Nanotechnology posted an article entitled “Cell entry of one-dimensional nanomaterials occurs by tip recognition and rotation.” The authors state that materials with high aspect ratio, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and asbestos fibers, have been shown to cause length-dependent toxicity in certain cells because these long materials prevent complete ingestion, which frustrates the cell. The authors note that, while “[b]iophysical models have...
September 19, 2011

Byproduct Section of New Reporting Rule Needs Clarification, Former EPA Official Says

The September 19, 2011, issue of BNA Daily Environment Report quotes Charles M. Auer and Kathleen M. Roberts concerning byproduct provisions under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule. Auer and Roberts spoke as part of a September 15, 2011, webinar hosted by Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
September 16, 2011

BCCM Creates Website for Nanotechnology Initiatives in California

B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., wishes to ensure that you are aware of a new website designed to be a platform for sharing information on nanotechnology policy, legislative, and regulatory initiatives in California. The website -- www.calnin.org -- provides regular updates on areas and initiatives that could potentially impact the development or use of nanomaterials in California. It also includes information on broader...
September 12, 2011

Lisa R. Burchi, Charles M. Auer, and Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA’s SNUR Authority and Key Points Regarding SNURs for Former New Chemicals,” BNA Daily Environment Report, September 12, 2011.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s use of its authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act is expanding. Its use of TSCA Section 5 ‘‘significant new use rule’’ (SNUR) authority is clearly on the increase, as most recently demonstrated by the important role that significant new use rules have in Chemical Action Plans. This article describes SNURs, their issuance and legal background, and a few key issues of which regulated entities need to be aware in responding to a...