Journal of Engineering and Public Policy
(Vol. 9, August 2002)

Nanotechnology Policy and Environmental Regulatory Issues

By Natassja Lewinski

Executive Summary

Nanotechnology is the "understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications." Given this definition of nanotechnology, chemical engineers have been dealing with processes involving nanomaterials for decades. The range of nanotechnology subject areas in which chemical engineers are currently engaged include nanofabrication and nanoscale processing; synthesis, adsorption and transport in carbon nanotubes; nanoscale structure in polymers; synthesis and characterization of nanocatalysts; nanosensors; drug delivery and imaging with nanotechnology; and nanobiotechnology.

To date, the US government has increasingly supported the development of nanotechnology applications. As a result, the growth of the field is outpacing the research on related environmental health and safety (EHS) issues. With previous emerging technologies, such as genetically engineered foods and genomics, there have been uncertainty and concern about health risks. It is known that nanoparticles can enter the human body after inhalation, dermal exposure, or ingestion. Because nanoparticles have a high bioavailability, they are able to penetrate the bloodstream, digestive tract and even the blood-brain barrier. Depending on whether or not nanomaterials are harmful, exposure to nanomaterials could trigger negative health effects. In order to keep the public from questioning the safety of nanotechnology, EHS research should be completed now to facilitate the enforcement of regulations.

Currently, there is no regulation in place controlling the release of nanomaterials manufactured in the U.S. into the environment. Therefore, the issue the EPA is currently facing is how to apply current environmental regulatory laws, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), to nanotechnology. The main issue concerning TSCA is the interpretation of what constitutes a new chemical. To address this issue, the EPA plans to launch a voluntary program to collect information that will help determine how nanomaterials should be regulated under TSCA.

Overall, the government should adopt a horizontal funding or priority approach to future national initiatives concerning research into new technologies. Implication research should be made a top priority at the onset of new research instead of following the vertical chain of development (i.e. R&D  commercialization  EHS concerns).

As environmental implications have slowly become a topic of concern, the EPA should make nanotechnology a top research priority. With the voluntary program, it should require companies to submit research findings concerning exposure, transport, toxicology, and ecological fate of their manufactured nanomaterials. They should also get more involved in the standard development process by joining the ANSI and ASTM committees. Concerning TSCA, the EPA should consider nanomaterials as “new chemicals” and amend the release limitations.

Chemical engineers should also become more involved with nanotechnology implications research. AIChE should actively participate in influencing the regulatory effort through its Government Relations Committee and make nanotechnology terminology and production standardization a subject for one of the Center for Chemical Process Safety Reports. In addition, EHS effects should be brought to the attention of the Research and New Technology Committee, the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum, and an Annual Meeting Topical Conference.

 

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