office of research and development nora savage, phd us epa, office of research & development...

Office of Research and Development

Nora Savage, PhD

US EPA, Office of Research & DevelopmentNational Center for Environmental ResearchTechnology & Engineering Division

DECEMBER 8, 2009

EPA & Nanotechnology: EPA & Nanotechnology: Research ActivitiesResearch Activities


OUTLINE

EPA Interests in Nano

EPA Research Needs

EPA Research Activities

Researcher Resources

Overarching Goals


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


AnthropogenicEngineered• Carbon-based

NTs, Fullerenes• Metal Oxides• Quantum Dots• Nanotubes• Nanowires• Dendrimers

IncidentalParticles from:• Combustion• Industrial

Processes• Vehicles• Construction

NaturalParticles from:• Plants, Trees• Oceans, other

water bodies• Erosion

• Dust

EPA InterestMaterial Source


What Is Nanotechnology?

EPA mission – to protect human health and the environment?

What does “uniqueness mean for this mission?

How can nano research move protection of public health and the environment forward ?


Instruments

Tunneling microscopy

Food, Water and the Environment

Remediation, Protection

Materials Science

Lightweight and strong

Energy Production / Storage

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

InformationTechnology

GMR Hard Disk

Benefits: Today & Tomorrow

Medicine and Health

Drug delivery


Self-cleaning glass, ceramics, and metalsSelf-cleaning glass, ceramics, and metals Stain-free clothing and mattresses Stain-free clothing and mattresses Lighter weight, stronger materials Lighter weight, stronger materials

Automobile bumpers, tennis racquets Automobile bumpers, tennis racquets More efficient, cheaper catalytic converters on carsMore efficient, cheaper catalytic converters on cars Longer lasting tires and tennis balls Longer lasting tires and tennis balls Improved dental-bonding/filling materialsImproved dental-bonding/filling materials New types of burn and wound dressings New types of burn and wound dressings Impermeable materials for food packagingImpermeable materials for food packaging

EPA InterestConsumer Products


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 InterestMaterial Characterization


EPA’s Interest in Nanotechnology

• 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

• Fulfill mission - Develop appropriate risk assessment & risk management approaches


ORD Nanomaterial Research Strategy

Location: http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience/files/nanotech_research_strategy_final.pdf


Nanomaterial Research Strategy (NRS)

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.

EPA Research Needs


ORD Nanomaterial Research Strategy – based on…

Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications (NEHI) Interagency Working Group of NSET, (NSTC, 2006)

http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_research_needs.pdf

Nanotechnology White Paper

Office of the Science Advisor Science Policy Council http://www.epa.gov/OSA/pdfs/nanotech/epa-

nanotechnology-whitepaper-0207.pdf

EPA White Paper on Nanotechnology (EPA, 2007)

EPA 100/B-07/001 | February 2007www.epa.gov/osa

Nanotechnology White Paper

Office of the Science Advisor Science Policy Council


Nanotechnology Research Budget History

$4.6 $5.6 $4.5

$8.6$10.4

$16.5$17.8

$0$2$4$6$8

$10$12$14$16$18$20

FY

20

04

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FY

20

05

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FY

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06

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FY

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FY

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08

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FY

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Base Program


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


EPA Nanotechnology STAR Grants

2001 Environmental Applications of Nanotechnology

16 awards, $5.6 million2002 Environmental Applications of Nanotechnology

16 awards, $5 million2003 Health and Environmental Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials

12 awards, $4 million2004 Environmental Applications of Nanomaterials

7 awards, $2 million2004/5 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


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 Solicitation


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


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

2007 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

2008 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

2009 Solicitation


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


2009 STAR Grantees’ MeetingLas Vegas 11/09 – 11/10


Nanomaterials –Applications & Implications

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

The Good… The Bad…


Nanomaterials –Applications & Implications

The Ugly??


Risk Assessment – Life-Cycle Perspective

Raw Material Production

1st Product Manufacturing

Worker Exposure

Industrial Emissions

Accidental Releases

2nd Product Manufacturing

Product Development


Consumer Use or Misuse End of Life

General Population Exposure

Recycle

Industrial EmissionsReleases/Discharges

Manufacturing Process

Disposal

AbrasionDirect Contact

PollutionSecondary Use



Consumer Use or Misuse End of Life

Ecosystem Exposure

Recycle

Industrial EmissionsReleases/Discharges

Manufacturing Process

Disposal

AbrasionEnv. Application

Land, Air, Water PollutionIncidental Env Debris



Nanotechnology

Factsheet

Solicitations

Newsroom

Research Projects

Publications & Proceedings

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 Home

http://www.epa.gov/ncer/nano

NCER’s Nano Web Page

NOW…


EPA’s Nano Web Page

http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience

Types of Nanomaterials Exposure

Ecological Effects Health Effects

Green Manufacturing Risk Assessments

Pollution Management Fate and Transport

Research Centers Research Grants

Life Cycle Research


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

office of research and development nora savage, phd us epa, office of research & development...

Documents

nano research

impls support research

epa nanotechnology

development instruments

development epas

epa mission

development nora savage

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