A research strategy for environmental, health and safety aspects of engineered nanomaterials
By: Committee to Develop a Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials ; Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology ; Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, Division on Earth and Life Sciences ; National Materials and Manufacturing Board, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, National Research Council of the National Academies
Contributors: National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology; National Research Council (U.S.). National Materials and Manufacturing Board; National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology
Publisher: National Academies Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 211
ISBN-13: 9780309253284
Subjects: Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Government policy; Risk assessment; Research
Description: "The nanotechnology sector, which generated about 225 billion dollars in product sales in 2009, is predicted to expand rapidly over the next decade with the development of new technologies that have new capabilities. The increasing production and use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may lead to greater exposures of workers, consumers, and the environment, and the unique scale-specific and novel properties of the materials raise questions about their potential effects on human health and the environment. Over the last decade, government agencies, academic institutions, industry, and others have conducted many assessments of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) aspects of nanotechnology. The results of those efforts have helped to direct research on the EHS aspects of ENMs. However, despite the progress in assessing research needs and despite the research that has been funded and conducted, developers, regulators, and consumers of nanotechnology-enabled products remain uncertain about the types and quantities of nanomaterials in commerce or in development, their possible applications, and their associated risks. A research strategy for environmental, health, and safety aspects of engineered nanomaterials presents a strategic approach for developing the science and research infrastructure needed to address uncertainties regarding the potential EHS risks of ENMs. The report summarizes the current state of the science and high-priority data gaps on the potential EHS risks posed by ENMs and describes the fundamental tools and approaches needed to pursue an EHS risk research strategy. The report also presents a proposed research agenda, short-term and long-term research priorities, and estimates of needed resources and concludes by focusing on implementation of the research strategy and evaluation of its progress, elements that the committee considered integral to its charge."--Publisher's description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.

Also available in Open Book format via the National Academies Press home page.
Table of contents: title: Background; title: A conceptual framework for considering environmenal, health, and safety risks of nanomaterials; title: Critical questions for understanding human and environmental effects  of engineered nanomaterials; title: New tools and approaches for identifying properties of engineered nanomaterials that indicate risks; title: Research priorities and resource needs; title: Implementing the research strategy and evaluating progress.; title: Appendixes:  A: biographic information on the committee to develop a research strategy for environmental, health, and safety aspects of engineered nanomaterials; title: B: Implementation scenarios: informatics and information-sharing.