Advancing Environmental Safety: Celebrating 20 years of Nanotechnology Research at EPA

Published April 2, 2024

Nanomaterials are extremely small particles that measure between one and 100 nanometers in size. How small is that? A single nanometer is one billionth of a meter and a strand of human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide! These tiny materials often exhibit unique properties that are different from those of the same substances in a larger size. Nanomaterials are used in many processes and commercial products--from smart phone components and solar panels, to treated vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

With the ever-increasing commonality of these materials, it is important to understand associated risks. EPA develops science and processes to evaluate the human health and ecological safety of products containing nanomaterials to estimate their potential environmental impact. EPA collaborates across federal and state governments, industry, and the international community on nano-related research. In addition to EPA’s in-house nanotechnology research, the Agency supports nano-related research through external grant programs such as Science to Achieve Results (STAR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR).

Collaborative Research

EPA nanotechnology environmental research is guided by the by the 2021 National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Strategic Plan and the 2011 National Nanotechnology Initiative Environmental Health, and Safety Research Strategy (NanoEHS Strategy, which is being updated in 2024). EPA, along with over 30 other federal agencies, independent agencies, and commissions are working together toward a shared vision of the future of nanotechnology. The NNI enhances interagency coordination of nanotechnology research and supports a shared infrastructure. The NanoEHS Strategy outlines six focus areas for nano environmental health and safety research. These areas include measurement infrastructure, human exposure assessment, human health, environment, risk assessment and risk management, and informatics and modeling.

One Health Strategy

EPA promotes a “One Health” strategy, a holistic approach with the goal of achieving optimum health outcomes across the shared environment of people, plants, and animals. Over the last 20 years, EPA has supported the One Health approach through many different efforts including environmental research on metal and carbon engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), nanopesticides, 3-D printer emissions, nanoplastics, quantum dots (semiconductor nanocrystals), and epoxy-based nanomaterials. EPA research looks at where these materials go and what happens to them along the way, also referred to as fate and transport. EPA research on how people and the environment are exposed to nanomaterials, as well as their toxicity, has resulted in more than 500 peer reviewed publications. This research has advanced our understanding of nanomaterials in the environment, fully embracing the “One Environment” component of One Health as recommended in the 2023 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report.

Future of Nanotechnology Research at EPA

EPA research programs will continue to collect and mine nanomaterials data as well as produce new characterization methods. This research informs both exposure and hazard assessments and supports risk-based decisions related to  implementation of EPA’s environmental statutes, including the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.  

Future directions for EPA research include the areas outlined below:

• Nanopesticides: Create an identification framework for pesticides containing carbonaceous nanomaterials; determine physical chemical properties and transport in the environment; and determine environmental impact on watersheds.
• Nano-printers: Continue work on quantification of additive manufacturing/3D printing incidental nanoparticle emissions and realistic estimates for exposure to aerosols and volatile organic compounds.
• NaKnowBase database: Continue inclusion of novel EPA data, enhance improved data interoperability of nanomaterials environmental health and safety data with Federal partners.  
• Nanosensors: Detection and remediation of drinking water and air pollutants and use of nanosensors for identification of Contaminants of Immediate and Emerging Concern (CIECs), such as PFAS.
• Nanoplastics: Detection, characterization, fate, transport and human and aquatic life toxicity.
• Capacity building of future expertise through training students, hiring post docs and supporting research grants to build the next generation of EPA researchers.