Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI)


NEHI is the Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications working group of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee, the interagency body responsible for coordinating the NNI, the Federal program that oversees nanotechnology R&D.

Purpose and Goals

NSET established the working group and charged NEHI with supporting Federal activities to protect public health and the environment by:

  • Providing for information exchange among Federal agencies that support nanotechnology research and Federal agencies responsible for regulation and guidelines related to nanomaterials and products containing nanomaterials;
  • Facilitating the identification, prioritization, and implementation of research and other activities required for the responsible research necessary to develop, use, and oversee nanotechnology;
  • Promoting  communication of information related to research on environmental, health, and safety implications of nanotechnology;
  • Adaptively managing (i.e., coordinating, reviewing, and revising) the interagency EHS research strategy (EHS Strategy Document);
  • Assisting in developing information and strategies as a basis for drafting guidance in the safe handling and use of nanomaterials and products;
  • With input from NSET and other interagency  groups, supporting the development of tools and methods to identify, prioritize, and manage strategies for specific research to enable risk analysis and regulatory decision-making for nanomaterials and products incorporating nanomaterials;
  • Supporting developed of nanotechnology standards, including nomenclature and terminology, by consensus-based Nanotechnology Standards; and
  • Working with international organizations and governments to share information on and to develop strategies for nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety research.

Membership