Workshop Summary: Research Progress on Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Nanotechnology - Research Progress on Environmental Health and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials - page 89

known nanomaterials—carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, ceramic nanoparticles (silicon dioxide and
aluminum and zinc oxides), quantum dots, nanostructured metals and ceramics, and nanoporous
materials. Dr. Holman also described movement away from improvement of existing products to enabling
new ones. The shift is evident in the solar and nanomedicine fields. In addition, small and large
companies are shifting from emphasizing “nano per se” to emphasizing how nanotechnology innovations
solve problems. For example, in 2002-2007, many large companies had central nanotechnology
initiatives; now, nanotechnology activities are typically incorporated into the business (functional) teams.
Startups are less likely to term themselves nanotech companies and more likely to define themselves by
the applications of their products.
Jim Alwood, of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics, reported that under the Toxics Substances Control Act more than 140 new chemical notices
for ENMs have been received since 2005 (30 related to carbon nanotubes or fibers). However, Mr.
Alwood, a regulator, commented that there is not much information on existing uses of ENMs and on
what materials are being manufactured. He acknowledged that materials cannot be regulated case by case,
but stated that categories of nanomaterials need to be developed, as happens in EPA's chemical program,
and data on nanomaterials need to be integrated into risk assessments to identify those that are of concern
for risk management. Mr. Alwood commented that the most important data needs are for characterization
of ENMs and for understanding exposures.
Georgios Katalagarianakis, of the European Commission (EC), discussed initiatives in the
European Union (EU), including the Communities of Research (CoR) launched in a joint EU-US effort
by the EC and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), to address EHS questions
about ENMs and to advance the field collaboratively.
Institutional Needs to Support the Research Enterprise
In its first report (NRC 2012), the committee identified institutional arrangements and
mechanisms that need to be addressed better to support implementation of the research enterprise,
including fostering interagency interaction, collaboration, and accountability; developing and
implementing mechanisms for stakeholder engagement; advancing integration among sectors and
institutions involved in EHS research, including public-private partnerships; and implementing structural
changes aimed at conflicts of interest. Representatives of federal organizations—including Sally Tinkle,
NNCO; Tina Bahadori, EPA; Christopher Weis, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS); Charles Geraci, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); Mike Roco,
National Science Foundation (NSF); Teresa Croce, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and Scott
McNeil, National Cancer Institute (NCI)—addressed a number of those themes and provided examples of
recent efforts.
Dr. Tinkle reviewed efforts to map the NNI's EHS research-strategy goals to its strategic plan;
further mapping will occur in the NNI's supplement to the president's 2014 budget. The NNI is trying to
establish a process for tracking research progress. Dr. Tinkle commented that the NNI is considering
requesting an Office of Management and Budget data call-in every 3 years, as was conducted in 2006 and
2009, to obtain EHS nanotechnology project-by-project data from all the federal agencies' NNI projects.
She stated that a much higher-level review would occur during the intervening years.
Dr. Weis described coordination efforts within NIEHS and with other federal agencies, including
FDA, NIOSH, and EPA. He commented on the successful coordination involved in the development of
the NIEHS strategic plan, which is now being implemented, and emphasized that quality assurance and
careful characterization of ENMs are needed for communication and exchange of data and findings.
Dr. Geraci discussed how NIOSH's work is closely aligned with that of other agencies' goals and
how NIOSH coordinates with the NNI and external partners in the private, academic, government, and
international sectors. He described efforts aimed at stakeholder engagement, including direct engagement
with the nanomaterial industry through the site-visit program for nanomaterial manufacture and use and
through evaluation of materials and processes that are under development. Dr. Geraci also described