The Nanotechnology Panel has a robust agenda of activities surrounding the stewardship and regulation of nanomaterials as well as research into this technology.
Stewardship
The primary mission of the Nanotechnology Panel is to promote the responsible development of nanotechnology by advancing knowledge of good product stewardship practices among nanomaterial producers and users. To that end, the Panel participates in partnerships with universities, regulatory agencies and other experts to identify and communicate best practices concerning the responsible development and use of nanotechnology.
In Sept. 2012, the Panel co-sponsored a workshop with the George Washington University (GWU) on “Strategies for Setting Occupational Exposure Limits for Engineered Nanomaterials.” The workshop was supported in part by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Learn more about the workshop.
The Panel is also a co-sponsor of the
NanoCharacter project of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Center for
Risk Science Innovation and Application (RSIA). The NanoCharacter project is a public-private partnership that aims to create a framework and roadmap to implement clear reporting of nanomaterial data across studies. Consistency in data reporting for nanomaterials is important for high quality risk assessment for human health and the environment.
Regulation and Policy
The Panel is engaged with regulatory bodies in the U.S. and abroad as they develop regulations and policies for nanomaterials. The Panel frequently submits comments to agencies requesting public input. To see public comments submitted by the Panel to regulatory agencies,
click here.
Regulatory Definition of “Nanomaterial”
The Panel advocates for a regulatory definition of “nanomaterial” that clearly identifies materials of interest. On March 13, 2013, the Panel presented a poster titled Comparative assessment of nanomaterial definitions and considerations for implementation at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology. The poster assesses existing regulatory definitions of nanomaterials and presents key elements that should be included in a regulatory definition.
Click here to learn more.
Research
The Nanotechnology Panel is also a co-sponsor of the ILSI RSIA’s
NanoRelease Consumer Products project. NanoRelease Consumer Products is a multi-stakeholder effort to explore understanding of methods for measuring release of nanomaterials from commercial products. The project will develop several “state of the science” reports about release measurement and will enable improvements, standardization, and use of nanomaterial release assessment methods.