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Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide (External Review Draft)
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document, Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and Topical Sunscreen (External Review Draft), as announced in the July 31, 2009 Federal Register Notice. The deadline for comments is September 14, 2009.
Citation:
U.S. EPA. Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide (External Review Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-09/057, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
The complex properties of various nanomaterials make evaluating them in the abstract or with generalizations difficult if not impossible. Thus, this document focuses on two specific uses of nano-TiO2, as a drinking water treatment and as topical sunscreen. These case studies do not represent completed or even preliminary assessments; rather, they present the structure for identifying and prioritizing research needed to support future assessments.
Description:
This draft document presents two case studies of nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) used (1) to remove arsenic from drinking water and (2) as an active ingredient in topical sunscreen. The draft case studies are organized around a comprehensive environmental assessment approach that combines a product life cycle framework with the risk assessment paradigm. The document does not draw conclusions about potential risks. Rather, the case studies are intended to help identify what needs to be known in order to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment of the potential risks related to nano-TiO2. This draft document is part of a process that will inform the development of EPA’s research strategy to support nanomaterial risk assessments.
URLs/Downloads:
EPA NANOMATERIAL CASE STUDIES ERD.PDF (PDF, 222 pp, 2241 KB, about PDF)Charge Questions to External Reviewers (PDF, 7 pp, 55 KB, about PDF)
Summary of the 2009 Nano-TiO2 Workshop that was prepared for the BOSC (PDF, 121 pp, 2300 KB, about PDF)
Agency Response to Comments on the draft Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide Case Study (PDF, 140 pp, 729 KB, about PDF)
FR Notice: Jul 31, 2009