Interesting information found while browsing
About Jack Berlin
Founded Accusoft (Pegasus Imaging) in 1991 and has been CEO ever since.
Very proud of what the team has created with edocr, it is easy to share documents in a personalized way and so very useful at no cost to the user! Hope to hear comments and suggestions at info@edocr.com.
Tag Cloud
EPA 100/B-07/001 | February 2007
www.epa.gov/osa
Nanotechnology White Paper
Office of the Science Advisor
Science Policy Council
EPA 100/B-07/001
February 2007
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Nanotechnology White Paper
Prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
by members of the Nanotechnology Workgroup,
a group of EPA’s Science Policy Council
Science Policy Council
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
ii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
DISCLAIMER
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
policy and approved for publication and distribution. Mention of trade names or commercial
products does not constitute endorsement of recommendation for use. Notwithstanding any use
of mandatory language such as "must" and "require" in this document with regard to or to reflect
scientific practices, this document does not and should not be construed to create any legal rights
or requirements.
Cover Images:
Left: Computer images of various forms of carbon nanotubes. Images courtesy of Center for
Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory
Right: Computer image of a dendrimer. Image courtesy of Dendritic NanoTechnologies, Inc.
Title Page Image: Computer image of a C-60 Fullerene. Laurence Libelo, U.S. EPA.
iii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Nanotechnology White Paper
Workgroup Co-Chairs
Jeff Morris Jim Willis
Office of Research and Development Office of Prevention, Pesticides and
Toxic Substances
Science Policy Council Staff
External Coordination
Steve Lingle, ORD
Dennis Utterback, ORD
EPA Research Strategy
Barbara Karn, ORD
Nora Savage, ORD
Risk Assessment
Phil Sayre, OPPTS
Physical-Chemical
Properties
Tracy Williamson, OPPTS
Health Effects
Deborah Burgin, OEI
Kevin Dreher, ORD
Kathryn Gallagher
Office of the Science Advisor
Subgroup Co-Chairs
Ecological Effects
Anne Fairbrother, ORD
Tala Henry, OPPTS
Vince Nabholz, OPPTS
Human Exposures
Scott Prothero, OPPT
Environmental Fate
Bob Boethling, OPPTS
Laurence Libelo, OPPTS
John Scalera, OEI
Environmental Detection and
Analysis
John Scalera, OEI
Richard Zepp, ORD
Statutes, Regulations, and
Policies
Jim Alwood, OPPT
Risk Management
Flora Chow, OPPT
Converging Technologies
Nora Savage, ORD
Pollution Prevention
Walter Schoepf, Region 2
Sustainability and Society
Diana Bauer, ORD
Michael Brody, OCFO
Public Communications
and Outreach
Anita Street, ORD
iv EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Workgroup Members
Suzanne Ackerman, OPA
Kent Anapolle, OPPTS
Fred Arnold, OPPTS
Ayaad Assaad, OPPTS
Dan Axelrad, OPEI
John Bartlett, OPPTS
Sarah Bauer, ORD
Norman Birchfield, OSA
John Blouin, OPPT
Jim Blough, Region 5
Pat Bonner, OPEI
William Boyes, ORD
Gordon Cash, OPPTS
Gilbert Castellanos, OIA
Tai-Ming Chang, Region 3
Paul Cough, OIA
Lynn Delpire, OPPTS
John Diamante, OIA
Christine Dibble, OPA
Jeremiah Duncan, AAAS fellow, OPPTS
Thomas Forbes, OEI
Conrad Flessner, OPPTS
Jack Fowle, ORD
Elisabeth Freed, OECA
Sarah Furtak, OW
Hend Galal-Gorchev, OW
David Giamporcaro, OPPTS
Michael Gill, ORD liaison for Region 9
Collette Hodes, OPPTS
Gene Jablonowski, Region 5
Lee Hofman, OSWER
Joe Jarvis, ORD
Y’Vonne Jones-Brown, OPPTS
Edna Kapust, OPPTS
Nagu Keshava, ORD
David Lai, OPPTS
Skip Laitner, OAR
Warren Layne, Region 5
Do Young Lee, OPPTS
Virginia Lee, OPPTS
Monique Lester, OARM, on detail to OIA
Michael Lewandowski, ORD
Bill Linak, ORD
David Lynch, OPPTS
Tanya Maslak, OSA intern
Paul Matthai, OPPT
Carl Mazza, OAR
Nhan Nguyen, OPPTS
Carlos Nunez, ORD
Onyemaechi Nweke, OPEI
Marti Otto, OSWER
Manisha Patel, OGC
Steve Potts, OW
Mary Reiley, OW
Mary Ross, OAR
Bill Russo, ORD
Mavis Sanders, OEI
Bernie Schorle, Region 5
Paul Solomon, ORD
Timothy Taylor, OSWER
Maggie Theroux-Fieldsteel, Region 1
Stephanie Thornton, OW
Alan Van Arsdale, Region 1
William Wallace, ORD
Barb Walton, ORD
v EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Table of Contents
FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................... VIII
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................................................. IX
ACRONYMS.........................................................................................................................................................X
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................1
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 NANOTECHNOLOGY DEFINED ........................................................................................................................5
1.3 WHY NANOTECHNOLOGY IS IMPORTANT TO EPA .......................................................................................13
1.4 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT.................................................................................................14
1.5 WHAT EPA IS DOING WITH RESPECT TO NANOTECHNOLOGY .....................................................................18
1.6 OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES..............................................................................................................21
2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ................................................................22
2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................22
2.2 BENEFITS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS.........................................................22
2.3 BENEFITS THROUGH OTHER APPLICATIONS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY .............................................24
3.0 RISK ASSESSMENT OF NANOMATERIALS.........................................................................................29
3.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................29
3.2 CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOMATERIALS ..............................................31
3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL FATE OF NANOMATERIALS..............................................................................................32
3.4 ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF NANOMATERIALS ...........................................................40
3.5 HUMAN EXPOSURES AND THEIR MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL ................................................................42
3.6 HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF NANOMATERIALS..........................................................................................52
3.7 ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NANOMATERIALS................................................................................................58
4.0 RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................................63
4.1 RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSCALE MATERIALS .........................................................................63
4.2 PROGRAM AREAS.........................................................................................................................................65
4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP .................................................................................................................68
5.0 EPA’S RESEARCH NEEDS FOR NANOMATERIALS ..........................................................................70
5.1 RESEARCH NEEDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS ............................................................................70
5.2 RESEARCH NEEDS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT...................................................................................................72
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................................................................................82
6.1 RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS ......................................................82
6.2 RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT.............................................................................83
6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.........................89
6.4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COLLABORATIONS...............................................................................................90
6.5 RECOMMENDATION TO CONVENE AN INTRA-AGENCY WORKGROUP...........................................................91
6.6 RECOMMENDATION FOR TRAINING..............................................................................................................91
6.7 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................92
7.0 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................................93
APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY OF NANOTECHNOLOGY TERMS .............................................................107
APPENDIX B: PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BEHAVIOR..........................110
APPENDIX C: EPA’S NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH FRAMEWORK..........................................111
APPENDIX D: EPA STAR GRANTS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY ..........................................................113
vi EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
APPENDIX E: LIST OF NANOTECHNOLOGY WHITE PAPER EXTERNAL PEER REVIEWERS AND
THEIR AFFILIATIONS ..................................................................................................................................119
vii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Table of Figures
FIGURE 1. DIAGRAM INDICATING RELATIVE SCALE OF NANOSIZED OBJECTS......................................................6
FIGURE 2. GALLIUM PHOSPHIDE (GAP) NANOTREES............................................................................................7
FIGURE 3. COMPUTER IMAGE OF A C-60 FULLERENE...........................................................................................8
FIGURE 4. COMPUTER IMAGES OF VARIOUS FORMS OF CARBON NANOTUBES. ....................................................8
FIGURE 5. “FOREST†OF ALIGNED CARBON NANOTUBES.......................................................................................8
FIGURE 6. ZINC OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURE SYNTHESIZED BY A VAPOR-SOLID PROCESS........................................9
FIGURE 7. COMPUTER IMAGE OF AGALLIUM ARSENIDE QUANTUM DOT OF 465 ATOMS.....................................9
FIGURE 8. COMPUTER IMAGE OF GENERATIONS OF A DENDRIMER......................................................................9
FIGURE 9. COMPUTER IMAGE OF A NANO-BIO COMPOSITE. ...............................................................................10
FIGURE 10. PROJECTED STAGES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT..........................................................13
FIGURE 11. FEDERAL SOURCES TO INFORM EPA’S NANOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES.......................................15
FIGURE 12. NNI NSET SUBCOMMITTEE STRUCTURE..........................................................................................16
FIGURE 13. NANOSCALE ZERO-VALENT IRON ENCAPSULATED IN AN EMULSION DROPLET................................22
FIGURE 14. PIEZORESISTIVE CANTILEVER SENSOR..............................................................................................24
FIGURE 15. EPA’S RISK ASSESSMENT APPROACH...............................................................................................29
FIGURE 16. LIFE CYCLE PERSPECTIVE TO RISK ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................30
FIGURE 17. TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (TEM) IMAGE OF AEROSOL-GENERATED TIO2
NANOPARTICLES.....................................................................................................................................................32
FIGURE 18. ZINC OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURES SYNTHESIZED BY A VAPOR-SOLID PROCESS...................................35
FIGURE 19. SEM OF A SCANNING GATE PROBE.....................................................................................................42
FIGURE 20. PARTICLE TOXICOLOGY CITATIONS..................................................................................................53
FIGURE 21. FLUORESCENT NANOPARTICLES IN WATER FLEA (DAPHNIA MAGNA)..............................................60
FIGURE 22. EPA OFFICE ROLES ...........................................................................................................................64
Table of Tables
TABLE 1. EXAMPLES OF PRODUCTS THAT USE NANOTECHNOLOGY AND NANOMATERIALS ............................11
TABLE 2. OUTCOMES FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF MAJOR RESOURCES AND RESOURCE SYSTEMS ...................25
TABLE 3. POTENTIAL U.S. ENERGY SAVINGS FROM EIGHT NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS ....................26
TABLE 4. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE FOR VARIOUS SYNTHESIS METHODS ............44
TABLE 5. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL SOURCES OF GENERAL POPULATION AND / OR CONSUMER EXPOSURE FOR
SEVERAL PRODUCT TYPES ...................................................................................................................................45
TABLE 6. SUMMARY OF WORKGROUP RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING NANOMATERIALS...........................92
viii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
FOREWORD
Nanotechnology presents opportunities to create new and better products. It also has the
potential to improve assessment, management, and prevention of environmental risks. However,
there are unanswered questions about the impacts of nanomaterials and nanoproducts on human
health and the environment.
In December 2004, EPA’s Science Policy Council (SPC) formed a cross-Agency
Nanotechnology Workgroup to develop a white paper examining potential environmental
applications and implications of nanotechnology. This document describes the issues that EPA
should consider to ensure that society benefits from advances in environmental protection that
nanotechnology may offer, and to understand and address any potential risks from environmental
exposure to nanomaterials. Nanotechnology will have an impact across EPA. Agency managers
and staff are working together to develop an approach to nanotechnology that is forward thinking
and informs the risk assessment and risk management activities in our program and regional
offices. This document is intended to support that cross-Agency effort.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the Nanotechnology Workgroup subgroup coÂ
chairs and members and for their work in developing this document. We would especially like
to acknowledge the Workgroup co-chairs Jim Willis and Jeff Morris for leading the workgroup
and document development. We also thank SPC staff task lead Kathryn Gallagher, as well as
Jim Alwood, Dennis Utterback, and Jeremiah Duncan for their efforts in assembling and refining
the document.
It is with pleasure that we provide the EPA Nanotechnology White Paper to promote the
use of this new, exciting technology in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
William H. Benson Charles M. Auer
Acting Chief Scientist Director, Office of Pollution
Office of the Science Advisor Prevention and Toxics
www.epa.gov/osa
Nanotechnology White Paper
Office of the Science Advisor
Science Policy Council
EPA 100/B-07/001
February 2007
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Nanotechnology White Paper
Prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
by members of the Nanotechnology Workgroup,
a group of EPA’s Science Policy Council
Science Policy Council
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
ii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
DISCLAIMER
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
policy and approved for publication and distribution. Mention of trade names or commercial
products does not constitute endorsement of recommendation for use. Notwithstanding any use
of mandatory language such as "must" and "require" in this document with regard to or to reflect
scientific practices, this document does not and should not be construed to create any legal rights
or requirements.
Cover Images:
Left: Computer images of various forms of carbon nanotubes. Images courtesy of Center for
Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory
Right: Computer image of a dendrimer. Image courtesy of Dendritic NanoTechnologies, Inc.
Title Page Image: Computer image of a C-60 Fullerene. Laurence Libelo, U.S. EPA.
iii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Nanotechnology White Paper
Workgroup Co-Chairs
Jeff Morris Jim Willis
Office of Research and Development Office of Prevention, Pesticides and
Toxic Substances
Science Policy Council Staff
External Coordination
Steve Lingle, ORD
Dennis Utterback, ORD
EPA Research Strategy
Barbara Karn, ORD
Nora Savage, ORD
Risk Assessment
Phil Sayre, OPPTS
Physical-Chemical
Properties
Tracy Williamson, OPPTS
Health Effects
Deborah Burgin, OEI
Kevin Dreher, ORD
Kathryn Gallagher
Office of the Science Advisor
Subgroup Co-Chairs
Ecological Effects
Anne Fairbrother, ORD
Tala Henry, OPPTS
Vince Nabholz, OPPTS
Human Exposures
Scott Prothero, OPPT
Environmental Fate
Bob Boethling, OPPTS
Laurence Libelo, OPPTS
John Scalera, OEI
Environmental Detection and
Analysis
John Scalera, OEI
Richard Zepp, ORD
Statutes, Regulations, and
Policies
Jim Alwood, OPPT
Risk Management
Flora Chow, OPPT
Converging Technologies
Nora Savage, ORD
Pollution Prevention
Walter Schoepf, Region 2
Sustainability and Society
Diana Bauer, ORD
Michael Brody, OCFO
Public Communications
and Outreach
Anita Street, ORD
iv EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Workgroup Members
Suzanne Ackerman, OPA
Kent Anapolle, OPPTS
Fred Arnold, OPPTS
Ayaad Assaad, OPPTS
Dan Axelrad, OPEI
John Bartlett, OPPTS
Sarah Bauer, ORD
Norman Birchfield, OSA
John Blouin, OPPT
Jim Blough, Region 5
Pat Bonner, OPEI
William Boyes, ORD
Gordon Cash, OPPTS
Gilbert Castellanos, OIA
Tai-Ming Chang, Region 3
Paul Cough, OIA
Lynn Delpire, OPPTS
John Diamante, OIA
Christine Dibble, OPA
Jeremiah Duncan, AAAS fellow, OPPTS
Thomas Forbes, OEI
Conrad Flessner, OPPTS
Jack Fowle, ORD
Elisabeth Freed, OECA
Sarah Furtak, OW
Hend Galal-Gorchev, OW
David Giamporcaro, OPPTS
Michael Gill, ORD liaison for Region 9
Collette Hodes, OPPTS
Gene Jablonowski, Region 5
Lee Hofman, OSWER
Joe Jarvis, ORD
Y’Vonne Jones-Brown, OPPTS
Edna Kapust, OPPTS
Nagu Keshava, ORD
David Lai, OPPTS
Skip Laitner, OAR
Warren Layne, Region 5
Do Young Lee, OPPTS
Virginia Lee, OPPTS
Monique Lester, OARM, on detail to OIA
Michael Lewandowski, ORD
Bill Linak, ORD
David Lynch, OPPTS
Tanya Maslak, OSA intern
Paul Matthai, OPPT
Carl Mazza, OAR
Nhan Nguyen, OPPTS
Carlos Nunez, ORD
Onyemaechi Nweke, OPEI
Marti Otto, OSWER
Manisha Patel, OGC
Steve Potts, OW
Mary Reiley, OW
Mary Ross, OAR
Bill Russo, ORD
Mavis Sanders, OEI
Bernie Schorle, Region 5
Paul Solomon, ORD
Timothy Taylor, OSWER
Maggie Theroux-Fieldsteel, Region 1
Stephanie Thornton, OW
Alan Van Arsdale, Region 1
William Wallace, ORD
Barb Walton, ORD
v EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Table of Contents
FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................... VIII
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................................................. IX
ACRONYMS.........................................................................................................................................................X
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................1
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 NANOTECHNOLOGY DEFINED ........................................................................................................................5
1.3 WHY NANOTECHNOLOGY IS IMPORTANT TO EPA .......................................................................................13
1.4 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT.................................................................................................14
1.5 WHAT EPA IS DOING WITH RESPECT TO NANOTECHNOLOGY .....................................................................18
1.6 OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES..............................................................................................................21
2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ................................................................22
2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................22
2.2 BENEFITS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS.........................................................22
2.3 BENEFITS THROUGH OTHER APPLICATIONS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY .............................................24
3.0 RISK ASSESSMENT OF NANOMATERIALS.........................................................................................29
3.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................29
3.2 CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOMATERIALS ..............................................31
3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL FATE OF NANOMATERIALS..............................................................................................32
3.4 ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF NANOMATERIALS ...........................................................40
3.5 HUMAN EXPOSURES AND THEIR MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL ................................................................42
3.6 HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF NANOMATERIALS..........................................................................................52
3.7 ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NANOMATERIALS................................................................................................58
4.0 RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................................63
4.1 RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSCALE MATERIALS .........................................................................63
4.2 PROGRAM AREAS.........................................................................................................................................65
4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP .................................................................................................................68
5.0 EPA’S RESEARCH NEEDS FOR NANOMATERIALS ..........................................................................70
5.1 RESEARCH NEEDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS ............................................................................70
5.2 RESEARCH NEEDS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT...................................................................................................72
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................................................................................82
6.1 RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS ......................................................82
6.2 RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT.............................................................................83
6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.........................89
6.4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COLLABORATIONS...............................................................................................90
6.5 RECOMMENDATION TO CONVENE AN INTRA-AGENCY WORKGROUP...........................................................91
6.6 RECOMMENDATION FOR TRAINING..............................................................................................................91
6.7 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................92
7.0 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................................93
APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY OF NANOTECHNOLOGY TERMS .............................................................107
APPENDIX B: PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BEHAVIOR..........................110
APPENDIX C: EPA’S NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH FRAMEWORK..........................................111
APPENDIX D: EPA STAR GRANTS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY ..........................................................113
vi EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
APPENDIX E: LIST OF NANOTECHNOLOGY WHITE PAPER EXTERNAL PEER REVIEWERS AND
THEIR AFFILIATIONS ..................................................................................................................................119
vii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
Table of Figures
FIGURE 1. DIAGRAM INDICATING RELATIVE SCALE OF NANOSIZED OBJECTS......................................................6
FIGURE 2. GALLIUM PHOSPHIDE (GAP) NANOTREES............................................................................................7
FIGURE 3. COMPUTER IMAGE OF A C-60 FULLERENE...........................................................................................8
FIGURE 4. COMPUTER IMAGES OF VARIOUS FORMS OF CARBON NANOTUBES. ....................................................8
FIGURE 5. “FOREST†OF ALIGNED CARBON NANOTUBES.......................................................................................8
FIGURE 6. ZINC OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURE SYNTHESIZED BY A VAPOR-SOLID PROCESS........................................9
FIGURE 7. COMPUTER IMAGE OF AGALLIUM ARSENIDE QUANTUM DOT OF 465 ATOMS.....................................9
FIGURE 8. COMPUTER IMAGE OF GENERATIONS OF A DENDRIMER......................................................................9
FIGURE 9. COMPUTER IMAGE OF A NANO-BIO COMPOSITE. ...............................................................................10
FIGURE 10. PROJECTED STAGES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT..........................................................13
FIGURE 11. FEDERAL SOURCES TO INFORM EPA’S NANOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES.......................................15
FIGURE 12. NNI NSET SUBCOMMITTEE STRUCTURE..........................................................................................16
FIGURE 13. NANOSCALE ZERO-VALENT IRON ENCAPSULATED IN AN EMULSION DROPLET................................22
FIGURE 14. PIEZORESISTIVE CANTILEVER SENSOR..............................................................................................24
FIGURE 15. EPA’S RISK ASSESSMENT APPROACH...............................................................................................29
FIGURE 16. LIFE CYCLE PERSPECTIVE TO RISK ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................30
FIGURE 17. TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (TEM) IMAGE OF AEROSOL-GENERATED TIO2
NANOPARTICLES.....................................................................................................................................................32
FIGURE 18. ZINC OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURES SYNTHESIZED BY A VAPOR-SOLID PROCESS...................................35
FIGURE 19. SEM OF A SCANNING GATE PROBE.....................................................................................................42
FIGURE 20. PARTICLE TOXICOLOGY CITATIONS..................................................................................................53
FIGURE 21. FLUORESCENT NANOPARTICLES IN WATER FLEA (DAPHNIA MAGNA)..............................................60
FIGURE 22. EPA OFFICE ROLES ...........................................................................................................................64
Table of Tables
TABLE 1. EXAMPLES OF PRODUCTS THAT USE NANOTECHNOLOGY AND NANOMATERIALS ............................11
TABLE 2. OUTCOMES FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF MAJOR RESOURCES AND RESOURCE SYSTEMS ...................25
TABLE 3. POTENTIAL U.S. ENERGY SAVINGS FROM EIGHT NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS ....................26
TABLE 4. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE FOR VARIOUS SYNTHESIS METHODS ............44
TABLE 5. EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL SOURCES OF GENERAL POPULATION AND / OR CONSUMER EXPOSURE FOR
SEVERAL PRODUCT TYPES ...................................................................................................................................45
TABLE 6. SUMMARY OF WORKGROUP RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING NANOMATERIALS...........................92
viii EPA Nanotechnology White Paper
FOREWORD
Nanotechnology presents opportunities to create new and better products. It also has the
potential to improve assessment, management, and prevention of environmental risks. However,
there are unanswered questions about the impacts of nanomaterials and nanoproducts on human
health and the environment.
In December 2004, EPA’s Science Policy Council (SPC) formed a cross-Agency
Nanotechnology Workgroup to develop a white paper examining potential environmental
applications and implications of nanotechnology. This document describes the issues that EPA
should consider to ensure that society benefits from advances in environmental protection that
nanotechnology may offer, and to understand and address any potential risks from environmental
exposure to nanomaterials. Nanotechnology will have an impact across EPA. Agency managers
and staff are working together to develop an approach to nanotechnology that is forward thinking
and informs the risk assessment and risk management activities in our program and regional
offices. This document is intended to support that cross-Agency effort.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the Nanotechnology Workgroup subgroup coÂ
chairs and members and for their work in developing this document. We would especially like
to acknowledge the Workgroup co-chairs Jim Willis and Jeff Morris for leading the workgroup
and document development. We also thank SPC staff task lead Kathryn Gallagher, as well as
Jim Alwood, Dennis Utterback, and Jeremiah Duncan for their efforts in assembling and refining
the document.
It is with pleasure that we provide the EPA Nanotechnology White Paper to promote the
use of this new, exciting technology in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
William H. Benson Charles M. Auer
Acting Chief Scientist Director, Office of Pollution
Office of the Science Advisor Prevention and Toxics