Project No.: 0317.00.005.580 Page 1 of 3

Project Name: Nanotechnology Review CBI?

Yes

No

TELEPHONE CALL RECORD

Incoming

Outgoing

Date: 03/18/2013 Time: am

pm

Company Name: Arizona State University ERG Staff Name: Eva Knoth

Contact Name: Dr. Paul Westerhoff, 

p.westerhoff@asu.edu

Contact Phone Number:

General Subject: Email Request for Information on Nanomaterials Research

TOPICS DISCUSSED AND ACTION TAKEN

Email sent on 3/18/13: 

Dear Dr. Westerhoff,

We are researching the potential presence and impact of nanomaterials in industrial wastewater discharges as 

part of the Clean Water Act Section 304m annual review process for US EPA’s Office of Water, Engineering 

and Analysis Division under Contract No. EP-C-12-021. We are doing this work on behalf of Mr. William 

Swietlik of the US EPA in Washington, DC.

Specifically, we are evaluating the current state of knowledge on the toxicity, analytical measurement, fate and 

transport and treatment of manufactured nanomaterials present in industrial wastewater discharges. Dave 

Meyer, a chemical engineer at US EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory, indicated that you 

are involved in research related to the environmental implications of nanomaterials and may be able to provide 

us with some valuable insight into these areas. 

Our research aims to answer the following questions:

• Are there studies on the presence of nanomaterials in industrial (or publically owned treatment works) 

wastewaters? If so, what are the industries and associated nanomaterials that may have the greatest 

wastewater discharge impact (primary manufacturers)?

• Are there analytical techniques available to detect nanomaterials in wastewater or other water streams, 

such as drinking water and surface water?

• Are nanomaterials present in industrial wastewater discharges toxic to human health and the 

environment?

• Are there treatment technologies that can remove or destroy nanomaterials in wastewater discharges?

We would appreciate any assistance you can provide to help focus our research and will follow up with a call 

sometime over the next week to discuss these important questions. We appreciate your time and consideration. 

In the mean time, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this request please feel free to follow up with 

William Swietlik directly at (202) 566-1129 or by email: swietlik.william@epa.gov.

Sincerely, 

Kim Wagoner 

kim.wagoner@erg.com (703) 633-1620

Need to return call by / at/between and . Signature:
Eva Knoth

eva.knoth@erg.com (703) 633-1648

Email Response on 3/18/13:

SOME RESPONSES ARE BELOW

Dear Dr. Westerhoff, 

We are researching the potential presence and impact of nanomaterials in industrial wastewater discharges as 

part of the Clean Water Act Section 304m annual review process for US EPA’s Office of Water, Engineering 

and Analysis Division under Contract No. EP-C-12-021. We are doing this work on behalf of Mr. William 

Swietlik of the US EPA in Washington, DC.

Specifically, we are evaluating the current state of knowledge on the toxicity, analytical measurement, fate and 

transport and treatment of manufactured nanomaterials present in industrial wastewater discharges. Dave 

Meyer, a chemical engineer at US EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory, indicated that you 

are involved in research related to the environmental implications of nanomaterials and may be able to provide

us with some valuable insight into these areas. 

Our research aims to answer the following questions:

· Are there studies on the presence of nanomaterials in industrial (or publically owned treatment works) 

wastewaters? If so, what are the industries and associated nanomaterials that may have the greatest wastewater 

discharge impact (primary manufacturers)?

THERE ARE LITERATURE REPORTS FOR POTWS (SOME OF MY PAPERS ARE ATTACHED), THERE 

ARE LIMITED OTHERS ON NANOSILVER. THERE ARE MORE PAPERS ON NANOMATERIALS IN 

BIOSOLIDS. TOTAL I WOULD GUESS IS ON THE ORDER OF 12-15 JOURNAL PAPERS. I HAVE 

SEEN VERY FEW ON INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATERS. WE ARE WORKING WITH SOME 

COMPANIES NOW, BUT IT IS ALL CONFIDENTIAL WORK.

· Are there analytical techniques available to detect nanomaterials in wastewater or other water streams, 

such as drinking water and surface water?

THIS DEPENDS UPON THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF THE NANOMATERIAL. NEARLY ALL 

METHODS ARE CURRENTLY NON-STANDARD METHODS (I.E., AVAILABLE IN RESEARCH 

FACILITIES AND NOT COMMERCIAL LABS). SO – THE CAPABILITIES EXIST, BUT THE DEMAND 

OR MANDATE IS NOT IN INDUSTRY/MUNICIPAL AREAS YET.

· Are nanomaterials present in industrial wastewater discharges toxic to human health and the 

environment?

NOONE REALLY CAN ANSWER THIS CURRENTLY AS "TOXIC" IS RELATIVE AND DIFFICULT TO 

TEASE OUT HOW MUCH COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO NANOMATERIALS, OR WHAT ENDPOINTS 

ARE RELEVANT. THERE IS A LOT OF LITERATURE ON DOSIMETRICS, BUT ALSO CAUTION 

ABOUT THE PROTOCOLS EMPLOYED IN THOSE ASSAYS.

· Are there treatment technologies that can remove or destroy nanomaterials in wastewater discharges?

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YES. MOST ARE METALS – SO DESTRUCTION IS NOT REALLY ACHIEVABLE. FOR CARBON 

BASED NANOMATERIALS BIODEGRADATION CAN OCCUR, RATHER SLOWLY FOR C60 AND 

CNTS BUT RAPIDLY FOR LIPOSOMES.

I HOPE THAT HELPS

=================================================================

Paul Westerhoff, PhD, PE

Associate Dean for Research

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Professor

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Program

School of Sustainable Engineering and The Built Environment

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Senior Sustainability Scientist - Global Institute of Sustainability

Arizona State University

Engineering Center, G-Wing Room ECG252

Box 5306

Tempe, AZ 85287-5306

Phone: 480-965-2885

Fax: 480-965-0557

email: p.westerhoff@asu.edu

SSEBE homepage: http://engineering.asu.edu/sebe

CESE Program homepage: http://engineering.asu.edu/undergraduate/ces

Engineering website: http://www.engineering.asu.edu

Research homepage: http://enpub.fulton.asu.edu/pwest/

=================================================================

Dr. Westerhoff attached three papers with the response: 

Westerhoff et al. (2011). Occurrence and removal of titanium at full scale wastewater treatment plants:

implications for TiO2 nanomaterials. Journal of Environmental Monitoring. DOI: 10.1039/c1em10017c

Kiser et al. (2009). Titanium Nanomaterial Removal and Release from Wastewater Treatment Plants. 

Environmental Science and Technology. DOI: 10.1021/es901102n

Dotson and Westerhoff. (2012).Character and Treatment of Organic Colloids in Challenging and Impacted 

Drinking Water Sources. Journal of Environmental Engineering. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000489

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