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Public Shares Views on Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials

January 10, 2007

Approximately 150 people took part in the National Nanotechnology Initiative's (NNI) Public Meeting on Research Needs related to the Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanoscale Materials. The meeting was held January 4, 2007, in Arlington, Virginia.

Fifteen speakers, representing industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, and risk assessment consulting organizations, addressed representatives of government agencies with responsibilities in the area of nanotechnology. The agencies of the NNI had requested input on the research needs, identified in a document published in September 2006, and on the prioritization criteria for such research needs. (See http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_research_needs.pdf) The public input will be used to formulate the government's recommended priorities for safety-related research on nanomaterials, which, in turn, will guide agencies and program managers who fund research in the field.



"We were very pleased at the extensive, considered input that we received at the meeting," said Dr. Clayton Teague, Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, which organized the meeting on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council.



"Overall, the comments on the government's identification of research needs and prioritization process were positive. A number of speakers complimented the NNI effort, noting the document's thoughtful and comprehensive nature. It was no surprise that there are some people awaiting the next steps and movement toward a strategic plan. And we're now one step closer to that goal."



Dr. Teague noted that even those who would like to see this process move rapidly agreed that the research and prioritization criteria identified in the government document are on target. "We are coordinating the efforts of numerous research agencies and looking for ways to collaborate with industry and efforts in other countries. Creating an effective strategic plan takes time. Safety research is not awaiting a final research plan, though." He stated that the NNI agencies have funded EHS research since 2001 and funding levels are increasing annually.



"We hope to receive more input on priorities," Dr. Teague said. Written comments can be submitted until January 31, 2007. Comments can be submitted electronically at http://www.nano.gov/public_ehs.html A transcript of the meeting and speaker presentations also will be posted on that web page in the coming days.



Those presenting comments at the meeting included Mr. Peter Linquiti, ICF International; Dr. Eric Landree, RAND; Mr. Paul Ziegler, PPG and Chairman of the Nanotechnology Panel of the American Chemistry Council; Dr. Andrew Maynard, Project on Emerging Nanotechnology, Woodrow Wilson

International Center for Scholars; Dr. Bettye Maddux, Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative, Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon; Dr. Rama Venkatasubramanian, RTI International; Mr. Sean Murdock, NanoBusiness Alliance; Dr. David Berube, University of South Carolina, and International Council on Nanotechnology Communications Director; Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin, The Cadmus Group; Mr. George Kimbrell, The International Center for Technology Assessment;

Dr. Jim Willis Director, Chemical Control Division, EPA and Chair of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials; Larry Miller, a private citizen from Madison, Wisconsin; and Arnold Kuzmack of Washington, D.C.



Dr. Norris Alderson, Office of the Associate Commissioner for Science, Food and Drug Administration and Chair of the NSET's Working Group on Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications, chaired the meeting and gave an overview of the NNI's work in safety-related research. Dr. Alderson noted that the NNI funds this research because of the potential benefits to be achieved through nanotechnology in fields ranging from medicine, to energy and environmental remediation. "We're funding this research to ensure that when we introduce a new nanomaterial into the marketplace...that we have a good fix on what are the risks of that material\\\

National Science and Technology Council