Many U.S. Government organizations have reported data needs concerning occupational
exposure, mammalian toxicology and environmental effects of nanoscale materials.
Many of these nanoscale materials, however, do not have their own CAS numbers,
or have CAS numbers that may be associated with the non-nanoscale chemical.
This relates to whether such nanomaterials will be considered “existing”
for TSCA purposes, or whether they need to be notified as a "new"
substance.
For the following material categories, data gaps have been reported:
- Nanomaterials with unique CAS numbers: C60 fullerenes, C90 fullerenes
- Materials having CAS numbers that can exist in the nanoscale and bulk forms:
Carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silver, silica (crystalline form),
quartz, cerium oxide, indium tin oxide, dendrimers
- Materials without CAS numbers: Single-walled and multi-walled nanotubes,
carbon nanofibers, quantum dots (Cd and Se cores), nanoceramic particles,
nanoclays
However, due to the limited cover of the NMSP regarding health, safety and
environmental data on nanomaterials, EPA now intends to develop a mandatory
data reporting rule under TSCA section 8(a) to obtain such information. EPA
has indicated that it will ensure that the chemicals where there is ITC interest
are either included in that action or are otherwise new chemical substances
subject to premanufacture notification (PMN) reporting under TSCA. EPA also
intends to develop a proposed TSCA section 4 rule to develop needed environmental,
health, and safety data.
Likely, in the US, the industry will soon have to develop and disclose data
on nanomaterials.
Contact & more information: Markus
Widmer
Source: The
Innovation Society
Posted August 21st, 2009
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