Nano and Other Emerging Chemical Technologies Blog

On November 10, 2020, the Senate Committee on Appropriations released 12 fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations bills and explanatory statements.  The bill for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies includes funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The explanatory statement for the bill includes language regarding nanomaterials research at EPA and states: The Committee notes the increased capabilities that the Food and...

On November 2, 2020, the European Commission (EC) requested a scientific opinion from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) on the ultraviolet (UV) filter HAA299 (nano) (chemical name “2-(4-(2-(4-Diethylamino-2 hydroxy-benzoyl)-benzoyl)-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-phenyl)-(4-diethylamino-2-hydroxyphenyl)-methanone”).  According to the EC’s request, the applicant seeks to assess the safety of HAA299 (nano) for use as a UV filter up to a maximum concentration of...

On November 9, 2020, the European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published two draft opinions for public comment.  In the preliminary opinion on hydroxyapatite (nano), SCCS considered whether the nanomaterial hydroxyapatite is safe when used in leave-on and rinse-off dermal and oral cosmetic products according to the reported maximum concentrations and specifications, taking into account reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions.  SCCS states that...

The Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) and the Nanotechnology, Occupational and Environmental Health (NanOEH) Committee have partnered to present the 9th NANO Conference.  This conference combines the interests of SNO and NanOEH by offering a virtual program containing sessions that are of interest to both groups. SNO is a permanent non-profit corporation that provides the infrastructure to carry out its mission of research, education, and responsibility related to both...

According to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute’s (TURI) website, the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) Program in Massachusetts has received a petition to list carbon nanotubes (both single-walled and multi-walled) and carbon nanofibers.  The TURA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is beginning the process of reviewing these substances and seeks additional information from stakeholders.  SAB’s primary role is to consider petitions to add or delete chemicals from the TURA list and...

On October 27, 2020, the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative published the National Nanotechnology Initiative Supplement to the President’s 2021 Budget (Supplement), which serves as the annual report for NNI, called for under the provisions of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.  According to the Supplement, the President’s 2021 budget requests more than $1.7 billion for NNI, with an increased investment in the foundational research intended to lead to...

The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) will hold a virtual stakeholder workshop January 11-13, 2021.  NNI states that over the past 20 years, it has supported nanotechnology discovery, development, and deployment and has nurtured the strong ecosystem that exists today.  Building on this foundation, nanoscience will underpin a wide range of advanced technologies and enable solutions to challenges into the future.  As NNI enters its third decade, conversations...

The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) will hold a webinar on November 4, 2020, on “Implantable Nanosensors:  A Forward-Looking View on Technical and Non-Technical Challenges.”  According to NNI, implantable nanosensors could revolutionize healthcare and improve real-time health monitoring.  NNI states that while there have been significant advances in developing implantable sensors for monitoring and responding to tissue growth, infection, and inflammation...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on October 15, 2020, a settlement with Electrolux Home Products, Inc., to resolve alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  As part of the settlement, Electrolux will pay a civil penalty in the amount of $6,991,400. EPA states that the settlement resolves claims that Electrolux imported unregistered pesticides in violation of FIFRA Section 12(a)(1)(A) and failed to file the...

On October 13, 2020, the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee published a request for information to inform the development of the 2021 National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Strategic Plan.  85 Fed. Reg. 64535.  According to the Subcommittee, a restructuring of the NNI is under consideration.  The Subcommittee seeks response to the following questions to identify effective mechanisms, strategies for communication, and priority...