EPA’s Nanotech Regs: Ironic Parameters

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EPA’s Nanotech Regs: Ironic Parameters

Clean-up – Clam-up – Screw-up?


During summer vacation, the lead US environmental regulatory agency acknowledged it has approved at least 15 novel nano-scale chemicals. Earlier this year EPA sanctioned the unproven use of iron nanoparticles to clean up a pesticide dump. Hearings this week.


Hard on the heels of a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commitment to consult openly and widely on the development of a regulatory approach to nanotechnology, the government has given the green light to introduce more than 15 novel, nano-formulated chemicals. Additionally, the EPA itself is experimentally testing iron nanoparticles to clean up groundwater in “Superfund” toxic dumps in a number of locations. The composition of the approved nano-chemicals, their potential commercial end-uses and even the manufacturers’ names have been withheld under the EPA’s sweeping Confidential Business Information (CBI) provisions. The agency meets with industry and civil society in Washington, DC this Thursday/Friday to discuss its plans for a voluntary “stewardship program” for nano-scale materials.


Nano-scale particles (approximately 100 nm in size and smaller) behave differently from larger-scale particles of the same material. With only a reduction in size, materials may be stronger or lighter or more heat-resistant or better conductors of electricity – or more toxic. The impacts of manufactured nanoparticles on the environment and on human health are unknown and unpredictable and toxicological data are scarce.
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read the rest, including how the EPA has already approved nano-tech to clean up a bio-hazard which could may be a great thing, but which also risks contamination of groundwater with nano-material here