International Council on Nanotechnology, Rice University - News Digest & Items of Interest

New nano research reveals massive regulatory failure (FoE - Australia)

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Australian government's National Measurement Institute has released early research at the International Conference on Nanotechnology (ICONN) in Perth this week that casts doubt on the nano content of popular sunscreens. This research highlights the failure of state and federal governments to regulate nano-sunscreens.

Lab study raises questions over nano-particle impact (The Raw Story)

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Tests involving chickens have raised questions about the impact on health from engineered nano-particles, the ultra-fine grains commonly used in drugs and processed foods, scientists said on Sunday. Chickens exposed to high oral doses of polystyrene particles 50 nanometres across absorbed less iron in their diet, according to their study. At the same time, birds that were chronically exposed to these doses had a "remodelling" of their intestinal villi, the microscopic finger-like projections that play an important role in absorbing nutrients.

Nanoparticles slow iron absorption in the gut (Chemistry World)

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Nanoparticles used in food and pharmaceuticals could have unintended physiological effects. This is the suggestion of US researchers who have showed that polystyrene nanoparticles can affect the uptake of iron - an essential nutrient - in a model intestine.

EPA Posts Summary of 2011 Nanomaterial Case Studies Workshop (Nano and Other Emerging Chemical Technologies Blog)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

On February 9, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted a summary report on its January 2011 workshop on nanoscale silver. The workshop was the second in a series conducted by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) to further the development of a research strategy for completing comprehensive environmental assessments of nanomaterials.

JRC nanomaterials support to the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) - (EU-JRC)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

As co-chair of a Working Group on Nanomaterials, mandated by the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulators' (ICCR), the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) prepared jointly with the US Personal Care Products Council a state-of-the-art report on nanomaterials characterisation methods.

Sunscreen guide recalled, as 'Nano-Free' labels in doubt

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

In the absence of labelling for products containing nanoparticles, a guide printed by a lobby group has been the only way for consumers to find out which sunscreens are 'nano-free'. But new findings from Australia's authority on the size of things have cast doubt on that brochure's claims and it will now be recalled and pulped.

Sun lovers avoid sunscreen over fear of nanoparticles (News.com.au)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

SUN lovers may be raising their risk of skin cancer by avoiding sunscreen due to unfounded fears over nanoparticles, according to a federal government study released in Perth.

UV from sunlight excites nanoparticles to kill phytoplankton in lab setting (Earthsky Blog)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

As a recent experiment shows, the very properties that make nanoparticles so valuable in killing harmful and unpleasant bacteria also kill ocean phytoplankton that regulate the climate and are the base of the oceans' food chain.

Nanomaterials "Just Out of REACH" of European Regulations (The Center for International Environmental Law)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

REACH, the European Union's primary regulation on chemicals is failing to identify or control nanomaterials. That is the conclusion of "Just Out of REACH: How REACH is failing to regulate nanomaterials and how it can be fixed," a new report by the nonprofit Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).

Sourcing Framework for Food and Food Packaging Products Containing Nanomaterials (As You Sow)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

As You Sow's first-of-its-kind framework is designed to help food companies make informed decisions regarding sourcing products containing nanomaterials.

The complexity of public engagement (Nature Nanotechnology - Correspondence)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Nanotechnology has been the subject of a large number of public engagement exercises over the past decade, but all this activity has had little impact on government policy formulation because governments tend to favour their own forms of engagement.

Early study suggests nanodiamonds safe for implants (Univ. of Alabama - Birmingham)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Nanodiamonds designed to toughen artificial joints also might prevent the inflammation caused when hardworking metal joints shed debris into the body, according to an early study published this week in the journal Acta Biomaterialia.

The Limits of Nanotechnology (Food & Water Watch)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

An opinion piece prepared by the organization Food & Water Watch that comments on the report issued by the Natioal Research Council identifying major gaps in environmental, health and safety research of nanomaterials. The report underlines the need for more and better science on how to monitor and test the safety of these materials. What is also needed, according to Food & Water Watch, are rules and regulations to protect consumers from these risks.

Tackling 21st-Century Tech Risks (Huff Post Tech)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

With some exceptions, the idea of managing risks proactively and proportionately, let alone embracing the precautionary principle, hasn't caught on here as it has in Europe. In the U.S., technological risk management has been seen as too much government intrusion that threatens innovation. Instead, as Harvard's Sheila Jasanoff has observed, the American approach has been to "normalize" new technologies like certain genetic manipulations as merely extensions of what already happens in nature.

Opinion: No Objections to Nano? (The Scientist)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

While biotechnology has met with mixed public reactions, to date nanotechnology seems to invoke much less public concern. Despite emerging evidence of potential toxicity to human health and the environment from some forms of nanotechnology under some circumstances, not much popular alarm has arisen.

Lastest updates from the NanoRelease project (Nanowerk News)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

As the applications of nanotechnologies continue to rapidly expand into a wide variety of industries, it is critical to consider any potential effects on human and environmental health. The NanoRelease project was initiated to assure that we have methods for the starting component of any evaluation of risk - which is measuring the amount that is actually released when a product is used.

What's happening with nanofoods? (Nanowerk Spotlight)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Back in the early 2000's, food nanotechnology seemed to be a very hot topic and large industrial food companies were eager to explore new opportunities offered by nanotechnology applications. Then, as critical voices from NGOs and regulators appeared, the food industry went into silent mode. But that doesn't mean that food nanotechnologies aren't being researched and developed in labs around the world. Here is an overview of what nanotechnology applications are currently being researched, tested and in some cases already applied in food technology

NRC Report Maps Well with NNI EHS Research Strategy (NNI)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

A recently released National ResearchCouncil (NRC) report, A Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs), largely reflects the strategic framework and principles outlined in the 2011 National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Research Strategy, released in October 2011.

Regulation and Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles: JRC publishes summary report of 2011 workshop (JRC)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The European Commission Joint Research Centre has published the Summary of the Joint JRC Nano event and 2nd ENPRA Workshop on "Challenges of Regulation and Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials" held on 10-12 May 2011 in Somma Lombardo, Varese (Italy).

EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposed SNURs (Nano and Other Emerging Chemical Technologies Blog)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that, in response to public comments, it will provide the public more time to comment on the December 28, 2011, proposed significant new use rules (SNUR) for 17 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMN). Of particular interest, seven of the PMN substances' reported chemical names include the term "carbon nanotube" (CNT) or "CNT."

A litigator's guide to nanotechnology health and environmental issues (Nanowerk News)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Be afraid, very afraid, when litigation lawyers start to wrap their brains around nanotechnology liability issues. Defense Research Institute's (DRI's) For the Defense January 2012 issue features an article by John Delany, a founding member of Delany & O'Brien, in Philadelphia.

Effectively Managing the Risks of Nanomaterials: Present Status and Future Challenges (InterNano)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Nanomaterials can impact a range of applications including energy, electronics, agriculture, transportation, and healthcare, with the potential for pronounced societal and economic benefit. Yet the significant societal benefits offered by nanomaterials are not without possible drawbacks as the impact of exposure on human health and environment is presently unclear. While it is documented that significant and excessive exposure to certain types of nanomaterials can be hazardous to human health1 there are no data linking these exposure levels to realistic exposure conditions for responsible product manufacturing or product life-cycle.

Panel Urges Study of Nanomaterial Risks (Voice of America)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Concerns are growing that almost nothing is known about the risks nanoparticles might pose to human health or the environment. Now, a federal science panel is calling for a systematic review of the safety of nanotechnology.

Study: Potential Hazards of Nanotechnology Not Known (Common Dreams)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Not enough is known about the potential hazards of nanotechnology, and millions of dollars more a year are needed to study the potential health and environmental effects of it, said the National Research Council yesterday. The panel's findings come from a study sponsored by the EPA.

Behavioral response of Daphnia magna to silver salt and nanoparticle exposure (EPA Science Inventory)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The work presented here is an effort to quantify behavioral responses of Daphnia magna to exposure to silver nanopartic1es. Experiments were performed using the Daphtox biomonitoring system developed by BBE Moldaenke. In this flow-through system, swimming behavior of eight <72 hour old D. magna are recorded and plotted using a video capture system.

ICTA Calls on EPA to Heed Expert Panel Advice - Public Interest Group Questions Why EPA Fails to Connect the Dots (ICTA)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) welcomes the findings of a new report by an expert panel yesterday, which concluded that despite the surge of nanomaterials in the marketplace, not enough is known about their potential health and environmental risks. The panel was convened by the National Research Council (NRC), the research arm of the National Academy of Sciences, at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Lawsuit Seeks To Block EPA's 'Free Pass' on Nanosilver (NRDC)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Natural Resources Defense Council has filed a lawsuit in federal court to limit public exposure to the antimicrobial nanosilver used in clothing, baby blankets, and many other textiles. The lawsuit, filed in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, headquartered in San Francisco, seeks to block the Environmental Protection Agency from allowing nanosilver on the market without the legally-required data about its suspected harmful effects on humans and wildlife.

Health and Environmental Effects of Nanomaterials Remain Uncertain (National Academy of Sciences)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Despite extensive investment in nanotechnology and increasing commercialization over the last decade, insufficient understanding remains about the environmental, health, and safety aspects of nanomaterials. Without a coordinated research plan to help guide efforts to manage and avoid potential risks, the future of safe and sustainable nanotechnology is uncertain, says a new report from the National Research Council.

NRC Report Calls for New Nano Safety Research Strategy (ScienceInsider)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Despite billions of dollars spent on nanotechnology research and development over the past decade, the human and environmental safety of nanomaterials remains unclear. As a result, a new nanomaterials safety research strategy is needed, and new governmental oversight is required to ensure the essential research is carried out, according to a report released today by the National Research Council (NRC).

National Academy publishes new nanomaterials risk research strategy (2020 Science)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The US National Academy of Science today published its long-awaited Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials. I won't comment extensively on the report as I was a member of the committee that wrote it. But I did want to highlight a number of aspects of it that I think are particularly noteworthy.

Paradigms to Assess the Environmental Impact of Manufactured Nanomaterials (Meridian Institute)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

This article in the journal Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, seeks to answer several questions: Where does the science need to provide reliable data that will assist policymakers and regulators develop strategies to manage nanomaterials and instill public confidence regarding the safety of these materials?

Nanotechnology - Risk Governance in India

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

This article analyses the potential consequences of the application of nanotechnology in the Indian context and studies the institutional arrangements for "risk governance" of nanotechnology in other countries.

NanoRiskCat - A conceptual decision support tool for nanomaterials (Nanowerk Spotlight)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

In a project funded by the Danish Environemntal Protection Agency (EPA), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and National Research Centre for the Working Environment have initiated the development of a screening tool called NanoRiskCat (NRC) for the evaluation of exposure and hazard of nanomaterials contained in products for professional and private use.

Government, Industry, Advocacy Groups Work on Carbon Nanotube Release Measures (Meridian Institute)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

A coalition comprised of government officials, chemical manufacturers and representatives of labor and consumer advocacy groups are working together to come up with an agreement on ways to measure whether multiwalled carbon nanotubes are released from products, potentially exposing workers, consumers or the environment.

Nano Form of Titanium Dioxide Can Be Toxic to Marine Organisms (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The Bren School-based authors of a study published recently in the journal PLoS ONE have observed toxicity to marine organisms resulting from exposure to a nanoparticle that had not previously been shown to be toxic under similar conditions.

Insurances Underestimate Nano Risks (The Innovation Society)

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The reinsurance company Gen Re recently published an analysis and evaluation of the potential implications for the insurance of nanomaterials. The study concludes that the emergence of nanotechnology might entail one of the most important and most neglected risks for the insurance industry.

FOEN Study Analyses Nanosilver Waste (The Innovation Society)

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

The manufacturing and further processing of nanomaterials produces waste. The risk potential of such waste correlates with the functionality and the specific surface of nanomaterials that could result in higher reactivity and mobility. On behalf of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) mass streams of silver, also available at the nanoscale, are analysed along the production process of textiles. Thus, basic principles for the treatment of nano waste should be established. (Some text in German)

New EC Publication Marks New Strategy Towards Responsible Innovation (The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

A new publication from the European Commission's Science in Society Programme features a series of research articles on ethical frameworks for new and emerging fields of science and technology. Towards Responsible Research and Innovation in the Information and Communication Technologies and Security Technologies Fields includes articles written by coordinators or participants to major FP7 projects funded under the Science in Society Programme.

Simple green production of high quality graphene nanosheets and quantum dots in bulk amounts (Nanowerk Spotlight)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

A University of Ulster laboratory has found a simple, low cost and environmentally friendly way to turn common graphite flakes into bulk amounts of either high quality graphene nanosheets or quantum dots. Such structures could lead to new nanoelectronics and energy conversion technologies.

BIS working on nano-technology standard (newKerala.com)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Gearing up for the future, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is giving priority to standardization in new areas like nanotechnology, energy efficiency, new renewable energy and bio-technology, said Consumer Affairs Minister K.V. Thomas recently.