Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: SNWG Comments on EPA Report

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Abstract:
In a February 5, 2010, letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, the Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) commented on the recent Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) report on nanosilver and other nanometal oxide pesticide products.

SNWG Comments on EPA Report

Posted on March 4th, 2010

The SNWG emphasized a number of the statements and recommendations from the SAP report that it considered "highly relevant for the shaping of EPA policy towards nanosilver materials." The SNWG letter noted that nanosilver is not a new material; clarity is needed on the EPA concept of nano; real-life conditions are essential for realistic risk assessment; EPA policy must allow for sustainable technology development; and SAP frequently confounded general "nano"-related issues and uncertainties with issues specific to nanosilver.

The SNWG concluded their letter with the following statement: "EPA policy towards nanosilver stands at a critical crossroads. A choice to declare nanosilver as a new material despite decades of historical EPA-registered use in favor of imposing disproportionate and largely redundant data requirements on nanosilver simply to assuage broader generalized conceptions of "nano" will constitute a drastic action. Such a choice will be a major impediment to an industry that offers significant benefits to consumers and will severely impact an embryonic manufacturing industry that offers to employ a significant number of Americans. The multi-decade historical record of safe use specific to colloidal nanosilver materials together with costs AND benefits of policy actions must be taken into account. To do otherwise will be to deny history."

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About Silver Nanoparticle Working Group
The Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) is an industry effort intended to foster the collection of data on silver nanotechnology in order to advance the science and public understanding of the beneficial uses of silver nanoparticles in a wide-range of consumer and industrial products.

Contacts:
Rosalind Volpe, D.PH
Director, SNWG
Silver Nanoparticle Working Group

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