Interagency Working Group on Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI WG)

Under the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee, the Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI) Working Group provides a forum for agencies to coordinate their individual agency activities related to understanding potential risks of nanotechnology.

NEHI coordinates many of the NNI activities that provide channels for the exchange of information and the formulation of research strategies that accelerate progress towards understanding the risks and benefits of nanotechnology and that lead to practices that protect human health and safety as well as the environment. The NSET Subcommittee and NEHI Working Group provide leadership in establishing the national nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety (EHS) research agenda and in communicating data and information related to environmental and health aspects of nanotechnology between NNI agencies and with the public.

New tools and methods are required for the research that will enable risk analysis and assist in regulatory decision-making, and NNI activities support development of these tools and methods. All these activities require nanotechnology standards, including standard nomenclature and terminology, and the NNI works with consensus-based standards organizations to develop standards for nanotechnology. The outcome of this research, data collection, and toll and standards development is the information that provides the basis for drafting guidance in the safe handling and use of nanotechology-derived materials and products by researchers, workers, and consumers.

The combined efforts of many sectors of the R&D community are required to address the environmental, health, and safety research priorities to strengthen the scientific foundation of risk assessments and risks management of nanotechnology-enabled products. The NNI agencies engage and interact with regional, state, and local groups, educational institutions, industry-supported groups, and non-governmental organizations. Interactions between the research community and the entities using the data collected in nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety research enhances the impact and value of NNI efforts and provides a collaborative approach.

NEHI was formally established during fiscal year 2005 by the NSET Subcommittee.

Participating Agencies

Office of Science and Technology

Office of Management and Budget

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

Department of Defense

Department of Energy

Department of State

Department of Transportation

Environmental Protection Agency

Food and Drug Administration

International Trade Commission

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

National Institute of Standards and Technology

National Institutes of Health

National Science Foundation

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

US Geological Survey