Assessment of Progress - Research Progress on Environmental Health and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials - page 19

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Assessment of Progress
INTRODUCTION
The committee's first report identified indicators of research progress and implementation that
could be used as benchmarks for gauging the extent of research and implementation in response to the
report. In developing the indicators, the committee acknowledged that given the short timeframe between
that report and this second one, there would not be measurable, long-term progress that could be assessed
with the indicators. It considered, however, that there would be ample time for initiation of research and
for initial development of the infrastructure needed for implementing the research strategy.
In examining the extent of progress that has occurred, the committee is aware that many
concomitant environmental, health, and safety (EHS) nanotechnology reviews and planning efforts have
occurred within the same period as its own work, including publication of the National Nanotechnology
Initiative (NNI) EHS research strategy, other government assessments, international initiatives, and
continuing research efforts in general (see Chapter 2). It is neither possible nor useful to try to attribute
progress to any particular effort, including this committee's first report. Rather, we examine the
trajectories of research and implementation to gauge whether steps have been made toward addressing the
indicators identified by the committee and, if not, what efforts are needed to achieve progress.
The committee used a color scheme for categorizing progress: green for substantial progress,
yellow for moderate or mixed progress, and red for little progress. It adopted that qualitative approach as
suitable for gauging progress given the scope and types of information available. It classified progress on
the basis of a consensus of the committee. The assessment considered new activities since preparation of
the committee's first report and the trajectory of research progress. Thus, green implies that there are new
activities and that sustained progress can be expected, red refers to a situation of limited activity and little
expectation of change, and yellow refers to mixed scenarios. The committee recognizes that its
assessment is not an exhaustive compilation and evaluation of progress, rather it is intended to provide
illustrative examples of progress. Chapter 4, “Getting to Green”, describes additional efforts and the
pathways that are needed to achieve progress in the research and implementation indicators identified by
the committee in the context of the vision for the EHS nanotechnology research enterprise (Figure 1-2).
The discussion below addresses advances made with regard to research and implementation
progress indicators identified in the first report. The committee considers that the indicators remain
appropriate for evaluating progress. However, in certain cases (as noted), it has clarified the wording or
modified the order of the indicators. Boxes 3-1 and 3-2 summarize the indicators, including the
committee's assessment of progress—green, yellow, or red. The following text identifies the indicators,
discusses progress, and presents the rationale for selection of a particular assessment.