The Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET)
Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council's Committee
on Technology today released a document describing the National
Nanotechnology Initiative’s (NNI) strategy for addressing
priority research on the environment, health and safety (EHS) aspects
of nanomaterials.
The full report, Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related
Environmental, Health, and Safety Research is available at http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_Research_Strategy.pdf
.
In 2006, the Federal Government invested $64 million in 246
EHS projects at seven federal agencies. The strategy for prioritizing
these projects entailed identifying and prioritizing EHS research for
nanomaterials; analyzing the current research portfolio of the seven
federal agencies funding EHS research; performing an analysis to
determine areas requiring emphasis for further research; and developing
a strategy address identified areas for research.
Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and
Safety Research, assigns priority to research and information needs
that were identified in the NSET Subcommittee document Environmental,
Health, and Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials,
published on September 21, 2006. An interim version of the strategy
report, was Prioritization of Environmental, Health, and Safety
Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials: An Interim Document
for Public Comment, released in August 2007. Public comments, that
played a role in shaping the final document, were accepted through
September 17, 2007.
“This EHS research strategy is the result of a
terrific team effort led by the NEHI Working Group. It reflects a
strong consensus and commitment among the NNI member agencies on the
roles they will assume, consistent with their respective missions and
responsibilities, to move the Federal efforts in nanotechnology-related
EHS research forward. The quality of the document demonstrates that the
NNI is working hard to understand—and to think strategically
about—nano EHS issues in a systematic, coordinated
fashion,” said Dr. Clayton Teague, Director of the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office.
Posted 15th February 2008
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