• Nanotechnology under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
  
  Many nanoscale materials are regarded as "chemical substances" under TSCA. This law provides the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a strong framework for ensuring that new and existing chemical substances are manufactured and used in a manner that protects against unreasonable risks to human health and the environment. For example, EPA considers carbon nanotubes to be distinct from other materials listed within TSCA and therefore may be considered new chemicals. A premanufacturer notice is required of manufacturers or importers of carbon nanotubes that are not on the TSCA Inventory (Federal Register 2008).
  
  
• EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances (OPPT) Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP)
  
  The NMSP was created in January of 2008 to support scientific information gathering on nanotechnology. This information would provide a better basis for regulatory decisions. Within the Basic Program of the NMSP, participants voluntarily provide information on the nanoscale materials that they import, manufacture, use, or process. Within the In-Depth Program, participants voluntarily develop data over a longer time period. Participants within the NMSP include manufacturers, importers, or users of nanoscale materials. A list of companies that participate is available on the website.
  
  
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Current Intelligence Bulletin 60: Interim Guidance for the Medical Screening and Hazard Surveillance for Workers Potentially Exposed to Engineered Nanoparticles
  
  This document captures NIOSH precautionary interim measures for assessing potential risks from engineered nanoscale materials and reducing work-related exposure. These interim measures will be updated as information becomes available.
  
  
• The Safe Handling of Unbound Engineered Nanoparticles
  
  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the Safe Handling of Unbound Engineered Nanoparticles initiative in January 2009 which identifies DOE responsibilities involving unbound engineered nanoparticles and provides guidance on handling and working with nanomaterials in a safe and secure manner.
  
  
• Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology, Managing the Health and Safety Concerns Associated with Engineered Nanomaterials
  
  This NIOSH document discusses potential health concerns and potential safety concerns associated with nanomaterials. It also discusses exposure assessment and characterization within the workplace and precautionary measures to minimize potential exposure to nanoparticles.
  
  
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
  
  Because of the unique properties of nanomaterials, the California DTSC is gathering information on nanotechnology and monitoring the efforts of other regulatory agencies about this emerging technology. DTSC sees a need to understand this industrial sector and its products and is interested in working to incorporate the benefits of "green chemistry" approaches, pollution prevention techniques, and sustainable manufacturing strategies to prevent potential adverse public health and environmental consequences.
  
  
  • Portal for the California Nanotechnology Initiative
    
    This website is a central portal for activities related to nanotechnology that the California DTSC is involved in or is supporting. It includes information on the DTSC Chemical Information Call-In; partnerships with other California agencies, universities and the U.S. EPA; the DTSC Nanotechnology Symposium Series; and non-DTSC conferences and events regarding nanotechnology.
    
    
  • DTSC Nanomaterials Information Call-In
    
    On January 22, 2009, the California DTSC issued a formal information request letter for carbon nanotubes (CNT). The information requested was issued under regulations developed under the California Health and Safety Code sections 57018-57020 (Assembly Bill 289). On April 14, 2009, DTSC announced interest in information regarding nanometal oxides such as aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Additional nanomaterials will be chosen in the future, based on information needs regarding their fate and transport, analytical test methods, and other relevant information. In January 2010, the DTSC posted on the DTSC Nanomaterials Information Call-In website responses from seventeen companies who received a formal information request letter regarding CNTs.
    
    
• The European Policy
  
  In 2004, the European Commission adopted the communication "Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology" COM(2004) 338 which sought to bring the discussion on nanosciences and nanotechnologies to an institutional level and proposed an integrated approach for Europe. In 2005, the European Commission adopted the communication "Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: an Action Plan for Europe 2005-2009" (COM(2005) 243) which defined a series of actions required for the implementation of a safe, integrated, and responsible approach for nanosciences and nanotechnologies. In 2007, the "Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: an Action Plan for Europe 2005-2009. First Implementation Report 2005-2007" was adopted which reported on the progress of actions that were identified in the Action Plan and took place between 2005 and 2007. The First Implementation Report was followed in 2009 by the "Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: an Action Plan for Europe 2005-2009. Second Implementation Report 2007-2009." The Second Implementation Report outlined new developments in each policy area of the Action Plan, identified current challenges, and drew conclusions relevant to future European nanotechnology policy.
  
  
• REACH
  
  REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances) is a European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use (EC 1907/2006). The new law became effective in June 2007. REACH aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances; while enhancing the innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.
  
  
• Guidance to Facilitate Decisions for Sustainable Nanotechnology
  
  Products that incorporate materials manufactured at nanoscale (i.e., nanoproducts) offer many potential benefits to society; however, these benefits must be weighed against potential costs to the environment and public health. EPA developed this document to provide a broad guidance for assessing the sustainability of nanoproducts and to lay the groundwork for developing a decision-support framework through continual updates as research in this area progresses. At the very least, it will aid stakeholders when navigating the various choices that must be made to foster the development of sustainable nanotechnology.
  
  

Citations

Federal Register. 2008. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory Status of Carbon Nanotubes. 73(212):64946-64947. October 31, 2008. Available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26026.pdf.