National Science and Technology Council
Committee on Technology
Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and
Technology (NSET)
National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)
January 8, 2007 (703) 292-4399 or (703) 292-8288
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
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" and if restrictions on its use are needed. He noted that prioritizing research needs will ensure that the government’s investment is properly directed.
Five other government representatives presented brief overviews of the safety research areas. They were Dr. Dianne Poster, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Dr. Sally Tinkle, Office of the Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; Dr. Phil Sayre, Risk Assessment Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Vladimir Murashov, Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and Dr. Richard Canady, Office of the Associate Commissioner for Science, Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Murashov also gave a presentation on the work of the International Organization for Standardization, as an expert consultant to that effort. (See http://www.nano.gov/public_ehs.html.)
These representatives also served on the convening panel along with Drs. Alderson and Teague and the co-chairs of the NSET Subcommittee, Drs. Celia Merzbacher of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Altaf Carim of the Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
In supporting research in nanotechnology, the NNI acknowledges that a new technology can lead to beneficial applications that also may have associated risk. Common examples of such applications are electricity, household cleaning supplies, gasoline, and medical X-rays. Learning more about risks provides information for their successful management and the realization of benefits.
About the National Science and Technology Council and the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology
Subcommittee. The Federal
Government’s nanotechnology research programs, in general, fall under the
National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). Coordination of research in the field
takes place through the Nanoscale Science, Engineering,
and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology
Council. The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office supports the
interagency coordination activities of the NSET.