States Lead on Toxic Chemical Reform - Report

A first-ever analysis of votes on state laws aimed at protecting the public from toxic chemicals found that 18 states have passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming margin with broad bipartisan support.

According to the report released on Nov 2010, of more than 9,000 votes cast by state legislators, 73% of Republicans and 99% of Democrats favored stronger protection of children's health and the environment from dangerous chemicals, with equal support from governors of each party. The report found that the pace of state policymaking on chemicals has more than tripled in eight years.

Nanoparticles a Risk in Food?

A new study reveals that nanoparticles are being used in everything from beer to baby drinks despite a lack of safety information

Plastic imbued with clay nanoparticles helps make Miller Brewing Co. beer bottles less likely to break as well as improves how long the brew lasts in storage. Simply H's Toddler Health nutritional drink mix includes 300-nanometer (300 billionths of a meter) iron particles. And a wide range of cooking and cleaning items now employ nanosize silver particles to kill microbes.

New Nano Titanium Dioxide Exposure Limit - NIOSH

A recently released NIOSH guidance document (NIOSH, 2011) on handling titanium dioxide (TiO2) powders in the workplace generated a high level of interest as it put forward an innovative approach that might have implications beyond TiO2. Specifically it may be the first document to recommend separate occupational exposure limits for the same material based on particle size.

REACH Progress: Model for TSCA Reform?

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union (EU) Regulation that was adopted December 18, 2006. This is the European equivalent of TSCA and is viewed by some as the direction that TSCA reform is headed. However, the November 2010 chemical registration evaluation process is revealing major problems for compliance by companies. Whether these are growing pains or a learning curve on the industry side or poor regulations is yet to be seen. Below is a brief summary  and excerpts from the 40+ page report released by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Nanomaterial Aquatic Toxicity Tests

Craig A. Calvert, Ph.D., C-CHO

Fuss & O'Neill EnviroScience

February 2011

In recent years the use of nanotechnology through the development of nanomaterials has increased rapidly. A graph of the number of papers published with nano used in the title is given below to illustrate the rapid growth from minimal pre-1990 level to a peak in 2009. The slight dip is likely due to the economic downturn. The increased use of the materials has sparked many debates over the toxicity of nanomaterials. Since size plays a large role in reactivity, groups are debating the need for regulating nanomaterials. The most likely regulation to oversee nanomaterials is EPA’s Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). TSCA regulates materials based on composition, and since most nanomaterials are the same composition as the bulk material, there was no immediate regulatory requirement. However, EPA has clarified that nanomaterials must follow TSCA testing requirements and reporting in Section 4 and 8. On September 17, 2010, EPA issued a significant new use rule (SNUR) notice under TSCA for single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes that are used in applications such as advanced composites, fuel cells, and electronics. www.tscaconsulting.blogspot.com/2010/09/epa-issues-final-snurs-for-carbon.html Because of the TSCA reporting requirements and the potential for increased reactivity, toxicity testing of nanomaterials is important in understanding the potential risks posed by these materials.

EPA Requires Testing of 19 Widely Used Chemicals

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requiring manufacturers of 19 high production volume (HPV) chemicals to test the health and environmental effects of the chemicals and submit the data to the agency. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has made assuring the safety of chemicals one of her top priorities. This rule is one of a series of actions that EPA is taking to ensure that the agency has the data it needs to adequately review priority chemicals. HPV chemicals are produced in or imported into the United States in quantities of 1 million pounds or more per year.

Nanotechnology: A Dead End for Plant Cells?

New Study Examines Nanoparticles’ Effects on Plants

Using particles that are 1/100,000 the width of a human hair to deliver drugs to cells or assist plants in fighting off pests may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but these scenarios may be a common occurrence in the near future.

Carbon nanotubes, cylindrically shaped carbon molecules with a diameter of about 1 nanometer, have many potential applications in a variety of fields, such as biomedical engineering and medical chemistry. Proteins, nucleic acids, and drugs can be attached to these nanotubes and delivered to cells and organs. Carbon nanotubes can be used to recognize and fight viruses and other pathogens. However, results of studies in animals have also raised concerns about the potential toxicity of nanoparticles.

Nanomaterials Are Widely Used in Commerce, but EPA Faces Challenges in Regulating Risk

June 28, 2010  Companies around the world are currently harnessing the properties of nanomaterials for use in products across a number of sectors and are expected to continue to find new uses for these materials. GAO identified a variety of products that currently incorporate nanomaterials already available in commerce across the following eight sectors: automotive; defense and aerospace; electronics and computers; energy and environment; food and agriculture; housing and construction; medical and pharmaceutical; and personal care, cosmetics and other consumer products. Within each of these sectors, GAO also identified a wide variety of other uses that are currently under development and are expected to be available in the future.