Nanotechnology Potential Developments May Include Nomenclature
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
The development of a nomenclature standard for nanomaterials is a topic that will be addressed by The National Toxicology Program's Board of Scientific Counselors' Nanotechnology Working Group in the future
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The development of a nomenclature standard for nanomaterials is a topic that will be addressed by The National Toxicology Program's Board of Scientific Counselors' Nanotechnology Working Group in the future. The Board of Scientific Counselors discussed the development of standard nomenclature for nanomaterials as a potential future issue during a meeting in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Aug. 18. Developing a standard nomenclature for this technology "is not only an issue for this working group, but this is a big issue nationwide," board member Stephen Roberts, PhD, University of Florida, said. The NWG, developed to increase public and stakeholder input into NTP's nanotechnology research program, held its first working group meeting in June (1 'The Rose Sheet' May 23, 2005, In Brief). NTP's research program is evaluating unanticipated exposure and health issues related to the emergence and increasing use of nanotechnology. Other future initiatives by the NWG include receiving updates on research being conducted by NTP and on discussing issues associated with environmental and occupational health standards, Roberts added. The NWG plans to coordinate with other federal agencies, including the interagency Nanomaterials Environmental and Health Implications Working Group, on the evaluation of nanomaterials, he said. "NTP is not the only federal agency interested in potential adverse health effects of nanomaterials, so to some extent this working group may be of benefit to other federal agencies as well," he added. NWG's 12 members advise the NTP board, evaluate research carried out under the NTP Nanotechnology Safety Initiative and provide a forum for public and stakeholder participation. Nanotechnology in cosmetics, drugs and medical devices also is being reviewed by FDA. The agency's Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition recently stated it would tap expertise of other agencies and centers within the Department of Health & Human Services to monitor emerging technologies (2 (Also see "CFSAN Cosmetics Oversight Aided By NTP, CDER Collaboration" - HBW Insight, 10 Jan, 2005.), p. 11). |