The Basics
Nanomaterials
What are engineered nanomaterials?
- Engineered nanomaterials are extremely small-scale, man-made chemicals and materials between 1 and 100 nanometers in size with a variety of commercial, military, medical, and other technological applications.
Why are engineered nanomaterials on the DoD Emerging Contaminants Watch List?
- Preliminary studies suggest that the novel properties of some engineered nanomaterials may also pose risks to human health and the environment.
- Little is known about their toxicological and environmental effects because nanomaterials may behave very differently than conventional materials, even when composed of the same chemicals.
- Federal regulators are considering the most appropriate approaches to regulation of engineered nanomaterials.
Why is DoD interested in nanomaterials?
- Nanomaterials offer great promise to deliver many benefits in military as well as human health, environmental, commercial and industrial applications.
- DoD has made and continues to make significant investments in research and development of new applications for engineered nanomaterials.
What is DoD doing to assess and manage risks posed by engineered nanomaterials?
- DoD coordinates its work with and participates in the National Nanotechnology Initiative and other national and international standards setting bodies.
- All DoD work on nanomaterials is required to comply with applicable environmental, safety, and health laws, regulations, and standards.
- DoD has supported $1 million in annual research in the last three years to assess the environmental, health, and safety impacts of nanomaterials.
- DoD established an Inter-Service/OSD working group to coordinate all related environmental, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) issues whether they are relevant to technical, policy, or legal topics.
- In May of 2008, DoD issued a policy requiring science and acquisition program managers to identify and address data gaps on environmental, safety, and health concerns of engineered nanomaterials within their areas of responsibility.
Where can I get more information?
- For information on the federal government’s National Nanotechnology Initiative: www.nano.gov/
DoD Uses
AEPI Nanotech (PDF)
A overview of the potential for nanotechnologies from an Army perspective.
EPA Nano 2007 Feb (PDF)
The EPAs final document which was published in the Federal Register 15 Feb 07, provides a series of recommendations for research on risks and potential exposure pathways for nanomaterials; development of methods for detecting nanomaterials; and recommendations for promoting green manufacturing and energy. Many of the recommendations were included in a draft released in late 2005, but the increased focus on green applications of nanomaterials is new.
DoD nanomaterials - logistics transformation (PDF)
Mantech Study on implications of nanomaterials for transforming logistics.
DoD Nanomaterials usage - Army Erosion Protection (PDF)
Mantech study
DoD Nanomaterials - uses - fuel additives (PDF)
Mantech study
DOD Nanomaterials Uses - Medical (PDF)
ManTech studied uses/applications of nanotechnology relevant to DoD
Potential Regulatory Frameworks
Clean Air Act (CAA) (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
Clean Water Act (CWA) (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
EMS (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
FIFRA (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
RCRA (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
TSCA (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
Consumer Product Safety Commission (PDF)
Various files related to the potential regulation of Nanomaterials.
2008 CRS Rpt on Nanomaterials Regulation (PDF)
Congressional Research Service Report to Congress: Engineered Nanoscale Materials and Derivative Products: Regulatory Challenges January 22, 2008
New DOE Notice N456.1 on the Safe Handling of Unbound Engineered Nanoparticle (PDF)
Review of Regulatory Frameworks for Nano Risk Assmt and Risk Mgmt (PDF)
NANOMATERIAL RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Review of Regulatory Frameworks. 2008. Prepared by USACE scientist.
ASTM Nano Tox Testing Standands - 3 new ones established in Dec 07 (DOC)
Three National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Cancer Institute (NCI) Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL)-championed ASTM nanomaterial toxicity testing standards were passed by the ASTM on 31 December, 2007. The ASTM standards are available at the ASTMs website (www.astm.org)
1. ASTM F756-00 Standard Practice for Assessment of Hemolytic Properties of Materials
2. Standard Practice for Evaluation of the Effect of Nanoparticulate Materials on the Formation of Mouse Granulocyte-Macrophage Colonies
3. Standard Practice for Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Nanoparticulate Materials on Porcine Kidney Cells
EU REACH and Nanomaterials (PDF)
REACH does not contain requirements specifically aimed at nano, yet the requirements provided for REACH still apply to substances at the nanoscale. Maybe, in the future, there may be nano-specific guidance documents. As of now, it is what it is.
CERCLA (Superfund) (PDF)
American Bar Assoc on the Potential Regulation of Nano Material
DoD Outreach
Nano Flyer Issue 2 (PDF)
AF new newsletter to keep the ESOH Acquisition community aware of nanomaterials/nanotechnology issues.
New Nanoflier publication (PDF)
Nanoflier developed by Air Force to help share information on Nanomaterials. Opportunities and risks
Nano Flier Issue 3 - Feb 2009 (PDF)
AF summary of Nano ESOH issues.
