EPA awards $5.5 Million for nanotechnology research

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $5.5 million to three consortia to support research on nanotechnology. The EPA, in collaboration with the UK's Natural Environment Research Council, are leading this scientific research effort to better understand the potential risks to people's heath and the environment.

Nanotechnology is the science of very small matter called nanomaterials, which are structured in size between 1 to 100 nanometers. A nanometer is 100,000 times thinner than a strand of hair. At extremely small sizes, nanomaterials can exhibit unique properties different than the same chemical substances in a larger size. Packaging Digest has reported on nanotechnology's potential in the packaging industry, including a 2007 post  that delves into how the technology can be used for covert authentication and track-and-trace features for consumer packaged goods.

"The responsible development of nanotechnology can play a major role in sustaining a positive, healthy environment, a vibrant and growing economy, and a high standard of living," says Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of research and development."Understanding the risks posed by engineered nanomaterials is a global challenge that is best met through international collaboration, drawing on the combined expertise of researchers from diverse backgrounds."

The agency says it understands that many U.S. industries can benefit from the positive applications of nanotechnology, including environmental remediation, pollution prevention, innovative drug delivery and therapy, efficient renewable energy, and effective energy storage. The EPA also states that the scientific information developed from the research can help guide it and other agencies when making decisions about the safety of new materials and products that are made using nanotechnology. The grants EPA has awarded will help researchers determine whether certain nanomaterials can leach out of products when they are used or disposed of and whether they could become toxic to people and the environment.

In addition to the EPA's $5.5 million, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has contributed $500,000 through a new research partnership between the two agencies. Grant awards were made to the three consortia consisting of researchers from the U.S. and the U.K. Each U.S. team of researchers received $2 million from EPA and CPSC for a total of $6 million. Each U.K. team also receives $2 million from the U.K. agencies, resulting in a grand total of $12 million to conduct the research.

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