The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting September 6-7, 2007, in Arlington, VA, in line with its continuing effort to better understand the potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology. The meeting is to help develop EPA’s Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting September 6-7, 2007, in Arlington, VA, in line with its continuing effort to better understand the potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology. The meeting is to help develop EPA’s Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). At the meeting, the EPA will request comment on the characteristics currently used or potentially available to characterize nanoscale materials, the rationale for the use of these characteristics, and issues to consider regarding use of these characteristics in the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program.

In October 2006, the EPA launched a collaborative process and invited stakeholders to participate in the design, development, and implementation of a Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under TSCA. Its goal is to provide a firmer scientific foundation for regulatory decisions by encouraging the development of key scientific information and appropriate risk management practices for nanoscale materials.

For more information about nanotechnology and the upcoming meeting, visitwww.epa.gov/oppt/nano/mc-mtginfo.htm.