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EPA & Nanotechnology: Research Activities. Nora Savage, PhD US EPA, Office of Research & Development National Center for Environmental Research Technology & Engineering Division DECEMBER 8, 2009. EPA Interests in Nano EPA Research Needs EPA Research Activities Researcher Resources
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EPA & Nanotechnology: Research Activities Nora Savage, PhD US EPA, Office of Research & Development National Center for Environmental Research Technology & Engineering Division DECEMBER 8, 2009
EPA Interests in Nano • EPA Research Needs • EPA Research Activities • Researcher Resources • Overarching Goals OUTLINE
What Is Special About Nanotechnology? • Nanoscale materials can have different properties Enhanced electrical or heat conductivity , • Increased strength, tensile properties , • Different magnetic properties, • Altered light reflection – color changes w/ size
EPA Interest Material Source
What Is Nanotechnology? What does “uniqueness mean for this mission? EPA mission – to protect human health and the environment? How can nano research move protection of public health and the environment forward ?
Medicine and Health InformationTechnology Energy Production / Storage Materials Science Food, Water and the Environment Instruments Remediation, Protection Drug delivery GMR Hard Disk Hydrogen Fuel Cells Lightweight and strong Tunneling microscopy Benefits: Today & Tomorrow
EPA Interest Consumer Products • Self-cleaning glass, ceramics, and metals • Stain-free clothing and mattresses • Lighter weight, stronger materials • Automobile bumpers, tennis racquets • More efficient, cheaper catalytic converters on cars • Longer lasting tires and tennis balls • Improved dental-bonding/filling materials • New types of burn and wound dressings • Impermeable materials for food packaging
EPA Interest Material Characterization Unique Properties of Nanomaterials • Chemical reactivity of nanoscale materials greatly different from more macroscopic form, e.g., gold • Vastly increased surface area per unit mass, e.g., upwards of 100 m2 per gram • Quantum effects resulting in unique mechanical, electronic, photonic, and magnetic properties • New chemical forms of common chemical elements, e.g., fullerenes, nanotubes of carbon, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, other layered compounds
EPA’s Interest in Nanotechnology • Fulfill mission • - Develop appropriate risk assessment & risk management approaches • Provide leadership • U.S. and global communities - environmental appls and impls • Support research • Enhance collaborations, increase knowledge base • Address statutory requirements • - CAA, CWA, FIFRA, RCRA, SDWA, TSCA, etc. • Encourage proactive approach • - Predictive tools (SARs, comp tox), P2, SxD
ORD Nanomaterial Research Strategy Location: http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience/files/nanotech_research_strategy_final.pdf
Nanomaterial Research Strategy (NRS) EPA Research Needs • In fiscal years 2007 and 2008, EPA will focus on the following high priority areas. • Based on White Paper & NEHI documents • Environmental fate, transport, transformation • Exposure • Monitoring and detection methods • Effects assessment methods consistent with and derived via exposure information.
ORD Nanomaterial Research Strategy – based on… EPA White Paper on Nanotechnology (EPA, 2007) Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI) Interagency Working Group of NSET, (NSTC, 2006) EPA 100/B-07/001 | February 2007 www.epa.gov/osa Nanotechnology White Paper Nanotechnology White Paper Office of the Science Advisor Science Policy Council http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_research_needs.pdf http://www.epa.gov/OSA/pdfs/nanotech/epa-nanotechnology-whitepaper-0207.pdf Office of the Science Advisor Science Policy Council
Research at EPA Applications–use nano to improve monitoring/detection and remediation techniques, pollution prevention (Approx. $12.2 M to date) Implications – assess the interactions of enms (human & env), exposure, and possible risks that may arise (Approx. $17.8 million to date, excluding ultrafine)
NCER Nano Funding • Extramural research program initiated in 2002 • ` Resources ~$5.0 M/year, total >$45 Million • STAR researchers positioned as leaders in nano EHS • SBIR total ~ 8 million • Opportunities to collaborate with other agencies on RFAs • Opportunities to coordinate with stakeholders
2001 Environmental Applications of Nanotechnology • 16 awards, $5.6 million 2002 Environmental Applications of Nanotechnology • 16 awards, $5 million 2003 Health and Environmental Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials • 12 awards, $4 million 2004 Environmental Applications of Nanomaterials • 7 awards, $2 million 2004/5 Health and environmental effects of Nanoparticles • 19 awards, $7 million (joint with NSF, NIOSH) 2005/6 Health and Environmental effects of Nanomaterials • 29 awards, $10.3 million with NSF, NIOSH, & NIEHS EPA Nanotechnology STAR Grants
2007 Solicitation Environmental Effects of Nanomaterials • Joint with Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation (NSF) • Investigating Environmental Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials – fate/transport & exposure • ~ $5 M, 15 STAR awards • 6 NSF awards • 1 DOE award
2007 Solicitation Biological Effects of Nanomaterials • Joint with National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) • Manufactured Nanomaterials: Physico-chemical Principles of Biocompatibility and Toxicity (R01): through NIEHS • ~ $2 M, 4-year project
2007 GRO Solicitations Detection and Monitoring • Greater Research Opportunities Program • Detection & monitoring devices for engineered nms • ~ $2 million, $400 K/yr, 3-yr awards • Opened June 13, 2007, Closed September 13, 2007 • 6 proposals • 1 passed peer review and awarded
2007 Solicitation Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology • National Science Foundation (NSF) lead • Investigating Environmental Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials – fate/transport & exposure • ~ 2 Center awards made • UCLA and Duke lead institutions
2008 Solicitation Environmental Effects of Nanomaterials • Joint with United Kingdom • Investigating Environmental Effects of Manufactured Nms – fate/transport & exposure • ~ $4 million (US, UK), $2 million each, 4 years • Consortia teams, Collaboration required • Open February/March 2009 • ~13 proposals received
2009 Solicitation Increasing Scientific Data on the Fate, Transport and Behavior of Engineered Nanomaterials in Selected Environmental and Biological Matrices • Collaboration with European Commission • ~ $5 million (EPA, NSF, USDA) • “EC Framework 7 call • Encourages international collaboration • Open November, close February
In-House Research at EPA • Initiated in 2007, $3M • Currently $4.0 M • Position EPA labs and staff • $5 M FY 2008, research initiated • Opportunities to work with STAR and federal researchers
Nanomaterials – Applications & Implications The Good… The Bad… • Cross blood-brain barrier – drug delivery • Placed in subsurface areas - remediation • Small, real-time sensors – detection & protection • Same compound, different properties – novel uses • Different disciplines – increased collaboration • Cross blood-brain barrier – impair health • Placed in subsurface areas – impair ecosystem • Small, real-time sensors – privacy concerns • Same compound, different properties – reg. concerns • Different disciplines – limited understanding
Nanomaterials – Applications & Implications The Ugly??
Worker Exposure Risk Assessment – Life-Cycle Perspective Product Development Raw Material Production 1st Product Manufacturing 2nd Product Manufacturing Industrial Emissions Accidental Releases
General Population Exposure Risk Assessment – Life-Cycle Perspective Consumer Use or Misuse Manufacturing Process End of Life Recycle Disposal Industrial Emissions Releases/Discharges Abrasion Direct Contact Pollution Secondary Use
Ecosystem Exposure Risk Assessment – Life-Cycle Perspective Consumer Use or Misuse Manufacturing Process End of Life Recycle Disposal Industrial Emissions Releases/Discharges Abrasion Env. Application Land, Air, Water Pollution Incidental Env Debris
NCER’s Nano Web Page NOW… Nanotechnology Home Nanotechnology has both applications and implications for the environment. EPA is supporting research in this technology while evaluating its regulatory responsibility to protect the environment and human health. This site highlights EPA’s research in nanotechnology and provides useful information on related research at EPA and in other organizations. Nanotechnology Factsheet Solicitations Newsroom Research Projects Publications & Proceedings http://www.epa.gov/ncer/nano
EPA’s Nano Web Page Types of Nanomaterials Exposure Ecological Effects Health Effects Green Manufacturing Risk Assessments Pollution Management Fate and Transport Research Centers Research Grants Life Cycle Research http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience
SUMMARY • Support research (internally, externally, nationally, internationally) to provide data needed to make policy and regulatory decision on emerging contaminants, proactive • Lay foundation for understanding enms transformations in various environmental media • Explore toxicity effects of the altered materials • Develop a systematic and integrated approach to assess, manage and communicate risks associated with enms in environment. complex mixtures • Work nationally and internationally to develop comprehensive research portfolio that addresses environmental and human health concerns.
GOAL Develop proactive & predictive approaches to manage risk Beyond C2 Protecting Destroying