{"id":5960,"date":"2017-01-11T17:00:56","date_gmt":"2017-01-11T22:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/?p=5960"},"modified":"2024-02-12T11:01:54","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T16:01:54","slug":"at-last-epa-promulgates-nanomaterial-reporting-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/2017\/01\/11\/at-last-epa-promulgates-nanomaterial-reporting-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"At last: EPA promulgates nanomaterial reporting rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

Richard Denison, Ph.D.,\u00a0<\/em>is a Lead Senior Scientist.\u00a0Lindsay McCormick <\/em><\/a>is a Project Manager. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"nanomaterial-infographic\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Today, EPA issued <\/a>its long-awaited rule to gather risk-relevant information on nanoscale\u00a0materials. The new rule will finally allow EPA to obtain basic data on use, exposure, and hazards from those that manufacture or process these materials, which has long been recognized by experts as essential to understand and manage their potential risks.<\/p>\n

Nanomaterials \u2013 a diverse category of materials defined mainly by their small size \u2013 often exhibit unique properties that can allow for novel applications but also have the potential to negatively impact our health and the environment.\u00a0 Some nanomaterials: \u00a0more easily penetrate biological barriers than do their bulk counterparts; exhibit toxic effects on the nervous, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and reproductive systems; or have antibacterial properties that may negatively impact ecosystems or lead to resistance.<\/p>\n

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Numerous expert bodies have identified the need for the kinds of information on nanomaterials EPA will now be able to collect, including the National Academy of Sciences<\/a>, the National Nanotechnolog<\/a>y Initiative<\/a>, and EPA\u2019s Office of Research and Development<\/a>.\u00a0 The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a report<\/a> last year noting that the number of products containing nanomaterials increased fivefold in the global market between 2006 and 2011, and are being used in hundreds of new products ranging from cosmetics and personal care products to clothing and textiles, solar cells, plastics for the automotive and aircraft industries, and food packaging.<\/p>\n

EPA\u2019s new rule institutes a one-time reporting requirement for existing nanomaterials, as well as a standing one-time reporting requirement for new nanomaterials before they are manufactured.\u00a0 Companies that manufacture, import or process existing nanomaterials, or intend to start\u00a0doing so for a new nanomaterial, are required to submit the following categories of \u201creasonably ascertainable\u201d information to EPA:\u00a0 chemical identity, production volume, methods of\u00a0manufacture and processing, exposure and release information, and available environmental and health impacts data.\u00a0 By collecting such data, EPA will finally be able to draw a clearer picture of the nanomaterials in and entering commercial use, and better determine whether action to mitigate risk is needed, on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

This basic rule has been a very long time coming.\u00a0 As illustrated in the graphic above<\/a>, EPA has been attempting \u2013 for over a decade \u2013 to issue such a rule to gather even this most basic information on nanomaterials in the U.S. market.\u00a0 Over the years, we have blogged extensively<\/a> on EPA\u2019s slow progress, due to opposition from both industry and other parts of the Federal government at every\u00a0step.<\/p>\n

There are a number of notable aspects of what is included \u2013 and not included \u2013 in the final rule:<\/p>\n