Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Within the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department
of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) published its intention to request informa-
tion on analytical test methods, fate and transport in the environment, and other
relevant information from manufacturers of NMs.
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The request for informa-
tion is intended to identify information gaps and to develop further knowledge
about the health and safety of NMs. The Department has requested informa-
tion on NMs such as nano silver, nano titanium dioxide, nano zerovalent iron,
nano cerium oxide, quantum dots, and nano zinc oxide. The DTSC exercises
its authority under California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 699, sections
57018-57020
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which resulted from Assembly Bill AB 289 (2006). The DTSC
intends to collect information on the fate and transport, detection and analysis,
and other information on chemicals that are more available from those who
manufacture or import the chemicals. A formal information request letter was
sent to manufacturers who produce or import carbon nanotubes in California,
or who may export carbon nanotubes into the State in January of 2009 and
the information must be submitted within one year. This letter was the first
formal implementation of the authorities resulting from AB 289 (2006) which
is directed to manufacturers of carbon nanotubes, both industry and academia
within the State, and to manufacturers outside California who export carbon
nanotubes to California. In January 22, 2010, the manufacturers and importers
of carbon nanotubes in California were required to submit their responses and
the responses were posted by DTSC along with a list of companies that had
failed to respond to the information request. DTSC also indicated interest in
expanding the Specific Chemical Information Call-in to brominated flame retar-
dants, methyl siloxanes, and other nanometals and nanometal oxides such as
vanadium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide,
cerium oxide, nano platinum, nano silver, and nano zerovalent iron. There is
also a plan to include quantum dots, ocean plastics, and nanoclay in the list of
chemicals of interest.
8.4 REMEDIATION IN CASE OF NM
s
SPILLS
NMs are currently being produced in small-scale synthesis processes in most
laboratories. However, based on accumulated reports in the literature, some
of the NMs are harmful and toxic to living organisms. Therefore, it is very
important to handle NMs and their accidental spills in the work place and in the
environment. In lieu of regulations for the proper handling of NMs spills, each
laboratory is currently implementing their own remediation procedures. These
procedures are based on the limited knowledge of how the NMs can affect the
air, water, and ultimately the living organisms that eventually get exposed to the
NMs either through inhalation, drinking contaminated water, or eating contami-
nated produce. In the event of a spill, the following protocol is recommended at
small laboratories and/or small business manufacturing, packaging, and vend-
ing NMs.
