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Assessor: D. Sherer

Production Volume: 

USE: 

OTHER USES: 

 
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Chemical Name: [5,6] Fullerene-C60-Ih 

Fate Assessment: 

Due to the novel nature of nanomaterials, it is not possible at this time to make 

assumptions about their behavior in the environment without the collection of physicochemical 

(p-chem) and fate data. The p-chem properties which seem most important for fate assessment 

are: surface reactivity, aggregation/agglomeration, physical form, particle size distribution, 

surface area solubility, dispersability, shape, adsorption tendency and surface charge porosity. 

These p-chem properties are novel to nanomaterials and are not estimated by our current 

collection of fate models, EPI Suite. Therefore, specific data on the actual behavior of the 

nanomaterial in waste water treatment plants (e.g., biodegradation, sorption to sludge, 

volatilization, etc.) and drinking water treatment plants (e.g., effect of chlorination, oxygenation, 

etc.) are needed to determine removal rates. Additionally, data are needed to assess the potential 

for ground water migration. Testing methods typically used for these parameters (e.g., ready 

biodegradation test, porous pot, etc.) may or may not apply. If the amount of the nanomaterial 

released is of concern, EAB recommends that the submitter evaluate the current OPPT guidelines 

for fate testing and then submit fate testing protocols based on their specific knowledge of the 

nanomaterial to the EAB’s fate experts for their review prior to the actual testing. It is possible 

that after several nanomaterials have gone through p-chem and fate testing, that models in EPI 

Suite could be validated for use, or, more likely, a new fate model or models could be developed 

to estimate the fate of a new nanomaterial in the environment. 

General Population and Environmental Exposure 

A qualitative evaluation of the releases estimated by CEB indicates that there is some 
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potential for exposure to the general population and the environment from landfill and/or 

incineration releases as well as fugitive air releases. Due to the novel nature of this PMN 

chemical it is not possible to quantify the exposure from these release scenarios. Human 

inhalation, ingestion and dermal exposure may result from the landfill, incineration and 

fugitive releases. 

It is not possible at this time to quantify the exposure due to the uncertainty surrounding the 

environmental fate of nanomaterials in water, air, incineration and landfill, and the uncertainty of 

applying existing fate and air dispersion models that were developed based on chemicals that are 

not nanomaterials. It is recommended that the submitter work with EPA engineers, fate experts 

and exposure assessors to develop chemical-specific testing for this PMN chemical. 

 

 
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Environmental Releases from the Engineering Report

 

 

 
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