Nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and the potential for regulatory action by USEPA

Environmental Claims Journal

Volumn 21, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 200-210

  Mason, Elizabeth F ^a  

^a GOODWIN PROCTER LLP   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ACTION PLAN; ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; ENVIRONMENTAL RISK; NANOTECHNOLOGY; POLLUTION CONTROL; REGULATORY FRAMEWORK; SAFETY; TOXIC SUBSTANCE; VOLUNTARY APPROACH;

NORTH AMERICA; UNITED STATES;

EID: 70449414278     PISSN: 10406026     EISSN: 1547657X     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/10406020902891693     Document Type: Article

References (37)

1. EPA Nanotechnology White Paper (EPA 100/B-07/001), February 2007, at 5, http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/.
2. TSCA § 8(b)(1), 15 USC § 2607(b)(1).
3. TSCA Id. § 5(a)(1), 15 USC § 2604(a)(1).
4. USEPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, "TSCA Inventory Status of Nanoscale Substances-General Approach," January 23, 2008, at 2, http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/
5. USEPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, "TSCA Inventory Status of Nanoscale Substances-General Approach," January 23, 2008, at 3-4.
6. USEPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, "TSCA Inventory Status of Nanoscale Substances-General Approach," January 23, 2008, at 4.
7. TSCA § 5(a), 15 USC § 2604(a).
8. 73 Fed. Reg. 65743, 65751-65752, November 5, 2008.
9. C. Poland, et al., "Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of mice show asbestos-like pathology in a pilot study," Nature Nanotechnology, May 20, 2008.
10. See http://community.safenano.org/blogs/andrew maynard/archive/2008/05/21/carbon-nanotubes-thenew-asbestos-not-if-we-act-fast.aspx (article by one of study's authors, Andrew Maynard, now with Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies); http://www.safenano.org/MWCNTAsbestosBehaviour-Commentary.aspx (commentary on study by another of its authors).
11. 73 Fed. Reg. 64946, 64947, October 31, 2008 (emphasis added).
12. See "NANOTECH: EPA issues consent order for company planning to develop carbon nanotubes," Greenwire, October 10, 2008; see also http://www.thomas-swan.co.uk/ASP/News Events/News Events.asp?Type=News&ID=195&Arc=&DLT=Swan%20pioneers%20nanomaterial%20controls%20with%20EPA (company press release announcing consent order).
13. Lux Research Inc., The Nanotech Report, 4th Edition (2006)
14. Lloyd's of London, Risks: Lloyd's Emerging Risks Team Report, Nanotechnology Recent Developments, Risks and Opportunities (2007), at 10.
15. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory, Analysis (as of December 2, 2008), http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/analysis draft/.
16. ICTA, "NanotechWatchdog Launches First-Ever Legal Challenge To EPA Over Unregulated Nanotech Pesticide Pollution," press release announcing filing of petition, May 1, 2008.
17. See, e.g., International Center for Technology Assessment, "Nano-silver Product List" (May 16, 2008), http://www.icta.org/global/actions.cfm?page=15&type=364&topic=8
18. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, "Nano Silver Inventory," September 9, 2008, http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/silver/.
19. See Samuel N. Luoma, "Silver Nanotechnologies and the Environment: Old Problems or New Challenges?," September 9, 2008, http://www.nanotechproject.org/publications/archive/silver/.
20. International Council on Nanotechnology, "Environmental Impacts of Nanosilver," November 18, 2008, http://cohesion.rice.edu/centersandinst/icon/resources.cfm?doc id=12722.
21. Citizen Petition for Rulemaking to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Petition Requesting EPA Regulate Nano-Silver Products As Pesticides, May 1, 2008, http://www.icta.org/global/actions.cfm?page=15&type=364&topic=8 (Petition), at 20-21, citing NACWA and Tri-Tac letters to EPA.
22. Citizen Petition for Rulemaking to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Petition Requesting EPA Regulate Nano-Silver Products As Pesticides, May 1, 2008, http://www.icta.org/global/actions.cfm?page=15&type=364&topic=8 (Petition), at 20-21 (citing NACWA and Tri-Tac letters to USEPA).
23. See, e.g., Rick Weiss, "EPA to Regulate Nanoproducts Sold as Germ-killing,"Washington Post (Weiss), November 23, 2007; Petition at 21-22 (emphasis added)
24. (citing Phibbs, "EPA to Regulate Nanoscale Silver Used in Washing Machines to Kill Bacteria," BNA Daily Environment, November 21, 2006).
25. Rick Weiss, "EPA to Regulate Nanoproducts Sold as Germ-killing," Washington Post (Weiss), November 23, 2007.
26. Petition at 21-22 (emphasis added) (citing Phibbs, "EPAto Regulate Nanoscale Silver Used inWashing Machines to Kill Bacteria," BNA Daily Environment, November 21, 2006).
27. Rick Weiss, "EPA to Regulate Nanoproducts Sold as Germ-killing," Washington Post (Weiss), November 23, 2007.
28. USEPA Office of Pesticide Programs, "Pesticide Registration: Clarification for Ion Generating Equipment," September 21, 2007, http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/ion gen equip.htm, referencing 72 Fed. Reg. 54039 (September 21, 2007).
29. USEPA, "U.S. EPA fines Southern California technology company $208,000 for 'nano coating' pesticide claims on computer peripherals," March 5, 2008, USEPA Region 9 press release, http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/2dd7f669225439b78525735900400c31/16a190492f2f25d585257403005c2851!OpenDocument.
30. FIFRA defines "pesticide" as "any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.
31. FIFRA §2(u), 7 USC §136(u). Under the statute, "pest" means "(1) any. fungus, weed, or (2) any other form of terrestrial or aquatic plant or animal life or virus, bacteria, or other micro-organism. which the Administrator declares to be a pest."
32. FIFRA §2(t), 7 USC §136(t). FIFRA requires that manufacturers of pesticides register any such product before selling it for commercial use.
33. FIFRA §3, 7 USC §136a. The statute makes it is unlawful "to distribute or sell any pesticide that is not registered" in accordance with §3.
34. FIFRA §12(a)(1)(A), 7 USC §136j.
35. USEPA has explained the concept of "pesticidal intent as follows: The regulations implementing FIFRA and the case law make it clear that if a reasonable consumer, considering the product's label, would use the product as a pesticide, the statute applies. Pesticidal intent is measured objectively; it is not based on the subjective intent of manufacturer, seller or distributor." In the Matter of: FRM Chem, Inc., a.k.a. Industrial Specialties, Docket No. FIFRA-07-2004-0041 (Feb. 16, 2005), p. 10 (citing N. Jonas & Co., Inc. v. EPA, 666 F. 2d 829, 832 (3rd Cir. 1981).
36. See 73 Fed. Reg. 69644, 69645-69646 (November 19, 2008).
37. See 73 Fed. Reg. 4861 (January 28, 2008).