NANOTECHNOLOGY

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA523346&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf
NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanomaterials Are Widely Used in Commerce, but EPA Faces Challenges inRegulating Risk
May 2010

GAO-10-549


Why GAO Did This Study
Highlights
Accountability Integrity Reliability
May 2010
NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanomaterials Are Widely Used in Commerce, but EPA Faces Challenges in Regulating Risk
Highlights of GAO-10-549, a report to Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate Nanotechnology involves the ability to control matter at the scale of a nanometer—one billionth of a meter. The world market for products that contain nanomaterials is expected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2015. In this context, GAO (1) identified examples of
current and potential uses of nanomaterials, (2) determined what is known about the potential
human health and environmental risks from nanomaterials, (3) assessed actions EPA has taken to better understand and regulate the risks posed by nanomaterials as well as its authorities to do so, and (4) identified approaches that other selected national authorities and actions U.S. states have taken to address the potential risks associated with nanomaterials.
GAO analyzed selected laws and regulations, reviewed information on EPA’s Nanoscale Materials
Stewardship Program, and consulted with EPA officials and legal experts to obtain their
perspectives on EPA’s authorities to regulate nanomaterials.