EPA accepting comments on nanoscale silver

EPA has published in the Federal Register a notice requesting public comment on a petition filed by the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) et al. The petitioners note the rapid increase in the number of products containing manufactured or engineered nanoscale materials.

They further point out that scientists have identified that nanoscale materials can have fundamentally different properties from the non-nanoscale or bulk forms of the same compounds, and that these unique properties may pose new environmental and human health risks.

Additionally, the petitioners review EPA’s procedural history with respect to nanotechnology and conclude that the Agency has not provided adequate regulatory oversight for this emerging technology.

The petition requests that the EPA:

• classify nanoscale silver as a pesticide,
• require formal pesticide registration,
• analyze the potential human health and environmental risks of nanoscale silver, and
• develop appropriate regulatory oversights for nanoscale silver products.

The Agency has determined that the petition raises issues that potentially affect private and public sector stakeholders. Through this notice, EPA is asking for public comment, which may be submitted through January 20, 2009.