EDF Health

Tired of Waiting … [with apologies to Ray Davies]

By / Published: August 20, 2008

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.

EDF’s recent news release that gave a less-than-glowing review to the performance of EPA’s Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) engendered a critique from Michael Heintz of Porter & Wright, accusing us of being “irresponsible” and potentially “sector damaging.” Our release had lamented the mediocre level of participation and lack of transparency surrounding the NMSP. I’ve posted a reply to Michael’s post, but also want to post it here. Read More »

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Fixing TSCA for Nano: Don’t Forget All the Other Chemicals!

By / Published: July 28, 2008

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.

A growing number of observers of nanotechnology policy in the U.S. – at least those outside the U.S. government! – recognize that the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is poorly suited both to spur the generation of sufficient information about nanomaterials, and to ensure that information indicating potential risks will trigger meaningful action.  So why not just tweak TSCA to make it work better for nano? Read More »

Also posted in Nanotechnology, TSCA reform / Tagged , , | Read 1 Response

Parlez-vous Nano? EDF and DuPont translate Nano Risk Framework

By / Published: July 9, 2008

 Scott Walsh, MBA, is a Project Manager.

Nanotechnology is a global phenomenon:  Organizations all over the world are working to develop and deploy nanotechnology applications.  Interest in minimizing the potential health, environmental and safety risks of nanotechnology is similarly global.  One of many indications:  Over the past year, EDF and DuPont’s Nano Risk Framework  has been downloaded more than 3,000 times in nearly 100 countries.

Recognizing the international interest in the Framework, EDF and DuPont have now made it available in three major languages: Mandarin, French, and Spanish. (The Framework’s executive summary is also available in Portuguese.) These translations will allow organizations around the world to better understand and apply the Framework’s guidance to assess, mitigate, and communicate about potential nanomaterial risks.

Read More »

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EPA Nano Authority under TSCA, Part 5: Can EPA Regulate “Existing” Nanomaterials?

By / Published: July 2, 2008

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.

[Links to posts in this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5]

This final post in this series goes to the ultimate question, where the nanorubber really hits the road:  Can EPA regulate an “existing” nanomaterial’s production, use, or disposal under TSCA?  Read More »

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EPA Nano Authority under TSCA, Part 4: Can EPA Get Industry Data on “Existing” Nanomaterials?

By / Published: July 1, 2008

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.

[Links to posts in this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5]

Let’s now turn to dissecting just how limited EPA’s authorities are both to collect information that companies already possess on their nanomaterials, and to require companies to generate and submit new information.  Read More »

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EPA Nano Authority under TSCA, Part 3: Can EPA Track “Existing” Nanomaterials?

By / Published: June 27, 2008

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist.

[Links to posts in this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5]

This was going to be the last post in my series on the fate of nanomaterials under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), where I turn to what will likely be – at least in the near term – the most common regulatory scenario that will apply:  the extent to which EPA has authority to regulate nanomaterials as “existing” chemicals under TSCA.  But there’s so much to cover that I’ve decided to split this last topic into three separate posts.  Read More »

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