Nanotechnology white paper

The US EPA has issued a draft of its Nanotechnology White Paper, a road map that identifies critical questions that must be addressed in order for the US to reap the potential environmental and economic benefits of nanotechnology.

Along with presenting the anticipated benefits of nanotechnology, the paper also deals with risk management of possible negative impacts of the new technologies.

The EPA is accepting public comments on the draft white paper until January 9, 2006, and will then provide those comments to external reviewers for their consideration.

In December 2004, EPA's Science Policy Council created a cross-agency work group to identify and describe the issues EPA must consider to ensure protection of human health and the environment as this new technology is developed. The draft white paper on nanotechnology is the product of that group’s work.

Following an expert review, the EPA will issue a final white paper on nanotechnology in early 2006.