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NANOTECHNOLOGY WHITE PAPER
Impact/Purpose:
The Nanotechnology White Paper outlines the potential applications and implications of nanotechnology. The document describes the issues EPA must address to ensure that society accrues the benefits to environmental protection that nanotechnology may offer, as well as to better understand any potential risks from exposure to nanomaterials in the environment. The Agency will use the Nanotechnology White Paper to address research needs and risk assessment issues concerning nanotechnology.
Description:
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating materials at the atomic and molecular level to develop new or enhanced materials and products. In December 2004, EPA’s Science Policy Council created a cross-Agency workgroup to identify and describe the issues EPA must address to ensure protection of human health and the environment as this new technology is developed. The draft white paper on nanotechnology is the product of the workgroup. The draft white paper describes the technology, and provides a discussion of the potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology and its applications that can foster sustainable use of resources. Risk management issues and the Agency’s statutory mandates are outlined, followed by an extensive discussion of risk assessment issues. The paper identifies research needs for both environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology and concludes with recommendations on next steps for addressing science policy issues and research needs. Supplemental information is provided in a number of appendices. The Agency will use the white paper to address research needs and risk assessment issues concerning nanotechnology. The draft white paper will undergo independent expert review, which will be conducted in the February time frame. All public comments received by January 31, 2006 will be submitted to the external review panel for their consideration. Comments received beyond that time will be considered by EPA. Following the external expert review, EPA will issue a final white paper on nanotechnology in early 2006.
URLs/Downloads:
NANOTECHNOLOGY WHITE PAPERPeer Review Report (PDF, 150 pp, 974 KB, about PDF)
Peer Review Plan (PDF, NA pp, 3 KB, about PDF)