Refreshing nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety research

The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is seeking feedback from a broad cross-section of stakeholders as they refresh their Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Research Strategy and reflect on progress toward the goals set in 2011. 

The U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy posted a request for information seeking public input. The deadline for comments was June 5. Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin gave and invited presention at their public meeting in Washington, D.C. highlighting accomplishments, and the remaining challenges.

The NNI was formed in 1999, with financial support from the Clinton administration to coordinate the somewhat fragmented research and funding environment that had developed in the early enthusiasm for all things nano. By 2008 the U.S. government was spending $5.1 per capita on research and development specifically for nanotechnology (Europeans were spending $4.6 per capita, the Koreans $6.0 and the Japanese $7.3). Significant funds were flowing into the development of new nanoscale materials, but there was increasing concern about their potential environmental, health, and safety impacts. The NNI responded with a strategy, and funding, for nanotechnology-related EHS research. This strategy was updated in 2011, but much has changed in the last decade. New characterization and monitoring techniques have been developed, products containing nanoscale materials have become widely available, and research around the world, including work initiated by Vireo, has quantified the risks. We encourage individuals, non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions, and the private sector interested in the responsible development of nanotechnology to join us as we contribute to creating an updated NNI EHS Research Strategy.