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4 Responsible Development of Nanotechnology
Pages 73-98

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From page 73...
... research directed at identifying and quantifying the broad implications of nanotechnology for society, including social, economic, workforce, educational, ethical, and legal implications.1,2 The committee's analysis of responsible development focused on current EHS research. Its efforts included looking at EHS-related activities and studies relevant to nanotechnology and examining some of the recently published work on toxicological and environmental effects of nanoengineered materials.
From page 74...
... A M A t t e r o fSi z e took note of efforts to address concerns about worker health and safety, including regulatory and standards-setting activities, as well as the importance of commu nicating about and involving the public in discussions of ethical and social issues in the responsible development and use of nanotechnology. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Nanomaterials have unusual and useful properties.
From page 75...
... , established the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory in 2005 to perform preclinical efficacy and toxicity testing of nanoparticles. In addition, the FDA has a grants program in support of orphan products research and development, but it does not conduct research in support of particular product applications.9 Currently, the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research is collaborating with the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
From page 76...
... , based at Rice University and affiliated with the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology, launched a database
From page 77...
... Swiss Re, a global reinsurer in the field of risk and capital management, published Nanotechnology: Small Matter, Many Unknowns, a report that addresses the risks and implications of nanotechnology, including EHS effects.22 Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies: Opportunities and Uncertainties, a report released in 2004 by the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom, identified a need for more research to assess the potential risks relating to nanotechnology and recommended that the UK government establish an interdisciplinary program for research on the toxicological effects of nanotechnology.23 The UK government's initial response24 acknowledged the need for more research but did not lay out any plans for accomplishing it. However, on December 2, 2005, the UK government published a report that addressed the current state of knowledge on the potential risks of nanoparticles and identified areas in need of
From page 78...
... The Current State of Published EHS Research The activities and studies mentioned above highlight some of the EHS issues relating to nanotechnology, but the body of published research addressing the toxicological and environmental effects of engineered nanomaterials is still rela tively small.27 As was pointed out by a workshop participant, two attributes of engineered nanomaterials are particularly important in relation to EHS issues- nanomaterials can enter the body, and their nanostructure can lead to specific biological activity. Such materials can include nanoparticles in the environment that can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin -- such as aerosols, powders, sus pensions, and slurries -- as well as materials in the workplace that degrade during grinding,cutting,machining,or other occupational use.28 What follows are some of the committee's observations on aspects of nanotechnology-related EHS research currently being reported.
From page 79...
... In the study conducted by Lam et al., three different carbon nanotubes were used: raw nanotubes, purified HiPcoTM nanotubes, both provided by the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology of Rice University, and CarboLex, Inc.'s nickel-containing electric-arc nanotubes. In the work of Warheit et al., SWNT soot was generated via a laser ablation process and obtained from DuPont Central Research.
From page 80...
... 0 A M A t t e r o fSi z e were each made by different methods and contained different types or amounts of residual metals. In addition, both negative and positive controls were used with the carbon black (Printex 90®)
From page 81...
... The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been providing national and world leadership in the responsible development and prevention of work-related illness and injury associated with nanotechnology.54 In 2004, NIOSH established the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC)
From page 82...
... A M A t t e r o fSi z e nanoparticles and nanomaterials; conducting research to prevent such injuries and illnesses caused by nanotechnology products; promoting healthy workplaces through intervention, recommendations, and capacity building; and enhancing global workplace safety through national and international collaborations.57 To further encourage research on effects of nanotechnology on occupational safety and health, NIOSH published"Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology"to raise awareness of potential risks in handling nanomaterials and nanoparticles.58 In that document, NIOSH requested data and information from stakeholders on the development of occupational safety and health guidelines and will be able to use that information to develop recommendations based on the best available science for working safely with nanomaterials.As new research developments occur, NIOSH will then update these recommendations and guidelines. NIOSH has also established for public use and comment the Web-based Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL)
From page 83...
... re S P o N S i B l ed e v e l o P M e N t o fN A N o t e c h N o l o g y chemical substance as"any organic or inorganic substance of a particular molecular identity, including any combination of such substance occurring in whole or in part as a result of a chemical reaction or occurring in nature and any element or uncombined radical."61 A new chemical substance is"any chemical substance which is not included in the chemicals substance list compiled and published under section 2607(b) of the TSCA Chemicals Substance Inventory."62 Two nanomaterials that have the same chemical composition can have different chemical properties due to size differences, thus making it difficult to ascertain whether or not certain nanomaterials are new chemical substances.
From page 84...
... and emissions over the complete supply chain from the cradle of primary resources to the grave of recycling or disposal. -- The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering Life cycle assessment is an important component of responsible development of nano technology; it requires paying careful attention to the full life-cycle risks presented by materials and products.
From page 85...
... The FDA regards its existing pharmacotoxicity tests as adequate for evaluating most nanoproducts, but as new materials or new conformations of existing materials are developed that are identified as having the potential to pose new toxicological risks, new tests will be required.81 Consumer Product Safety Commission Existing Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations and guidelines are being used to assess the potential safety and health risks of nanomaterials that are incorporated into consumer products.
From page 86...
... These stakeholders include groups within professional organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ; government agencies such as NIST, NIOSH, NIEHS, NTP, and EPA; and a host of universities and industries, as well as NGOs and insurers.
From page 87...
... Because characterizing nanomaterials requires cross-disciplinary expertise, IEEE has worked with Semiconductor Materials and Equipment International and ASTM International to propose standards for the types and characteristics of nanoparticles, and nomenclature and terminology for nanotechnology.91 ETHICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES Although they were not a central issue for its deliberations, the committee recognized that addressing ethical and societal concerns pertaining to the emergence of nanotechnology will be an important part of responsible development. Currently, ethical considerations specific to nanotechnology have not come into focus, yet the concerns were articulated by experts in bioethics and engineering
From page 88...
... Ensuring responsible development of nanotechnology will depend on taking an integrated approach to ethical issues that will also involve the public in think ing through the implications of nanotechnology.102 Plato's observation that "the discoverer of an art is not the best judge of the good or harm which will accrue to those who practice it"103 seems a succinct reminder of the value of informed outside review and societal participation in decision making about the introduction of significant new technologies into our environment.
From page 89...
... Among recent studies and activities pertinent to involvement of the public, the committee mentions two as illustrative: · Informed Public Perceptions of Nanotechnology and Trust in Government,105 from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, presents the results of a study conducted in May and June of 2005 of individuals' perceptions of government, nanotech nology, and regulation. Provided with information on nanotechnology and on U.S.
From page 90...
... at the University of South Carolina, enti tled"From Laboratory to Society: Developing an Informed Approach to Nanoscale Science and Technology,"focused on engaging the public in a dialog and providing educational resources to increase understanding of opportunities and risks involved with this new technology.107 Two NSF-sponsored Centers for Nanotechnology in Society established recently under the NNI at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Arizona State University will provide a network of social scientists, economists, and nanotechnology researchers to address societal implications of nanotechnology. Public perceptions are also influenced by the media's coverage of a technology.
From page 91...
... However, the possibility of unintended effects that may raise public concern demands proactive attention. Responsible development of these new converging technologies requires careful attention to social and ethical dimensions of their development and use.
From page 92...
... characterize, assess, and manage the risks associated with exposure. The NNI's establishment of the NEHI Working Group has provided for exchange of information among agencies that support nanotechnology research and those responsible for regulation and guidelines related to nanoproducts.
From page 93...
... 3. Clayton Teague, National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, presentation to this commit tee, March 24, 2005.
From page 94...
... 27. A keyword search using "nanoparticles" yielded 101 global government-funded research projects currently in the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerg ing Nanotechnologies database; 165 research articles in the International Council on Nano technology database; and 98 reports in the NIOSH Nanoparticle Information Library.
From page 95...
... 2005. Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research: Filling the Knowledge Gaps.
From page 96...
... . Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
From page 97...
... 2005. Nanotechnology and the consumer product safety commission.


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