NECC1014: Nanotechnology Risk Assessment
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NECC1014: Nanotechnology Risk Assessment
Duration: 10/01/2011 to 09/30/2016
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Nanotechnology is generating remarkable scientific and technological advances from the evolutionary to the extraordinary. These advances are enabling a broad spectrum of applications in electronics, medicine, energy, manufacturing, advanced materials, and other fields. Particularly nanotechnologies are being developed to address a broad range of critical challenges and opportunities facing agriculture and food systems. Innovative ideas to develop nanotechnology enabled solutions for global food security through improved productivity and quality, adaptation and mitigation of agricultural production systems to climate changes, improving nutritional quality of foods, and bio-based products and energy using nanotechnology have been successful and results are encouraging. Along with these technological advances, however, is the need for development and assessment of nanoscale materials was recognized as part of the recent Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program: Foundational Program (3). In this RFA program description the following text was used to describe the importance of assessing the risks associated with these newly developed materials and processes: To ensure responsible development of nanotechnology applications, the development of methods to evaluate the risk assessment of nanoparticles or the actual assessment of nanoparticles are encouraged.
The area of nanoscience and technology has grown significantly in the last few years and the notion of nanomaterials is pervasive in our society; in the foods we eat, the clothes we wear, the houses we live in and the cars we drive are just a few of the examples of now this novel technology is used in our daily lives. Shatkin and North (2010) stated that the present state of knowledge regarding the effects of nanoparticles on biological organisms is evolving a dynamic system between the surface of a particle and the membrane of a cell (prokaryote or eukaryote). As such, the current risk analysis paradigms will be challenged to accommodate for these new materials. Thus, fundamental research questions must be asked: Will current methodologies in risk analysis (including areas of risk assessment, management and communication) suffice when applied to nanotechnology? Or is a conceptual paradigm shift needed? A recently convened expert panel raised concerns about the ability of the current risk assessment methodologies to address nanoscale materials (Shatkin et al. 2010).
Since the area of nanotechnology risk analysis is related to biological and ecological systems is in its infancy, we propose to establish a Nano-Risk Coordinating Committee (NRCC) that will investigate this broad topic area and provide guidance for development of research directions. Coordinating Committees (CC) operated through the auspices of USDA multistate activities are a good mechanism to address critical issues of national significance. Assessing the risks of nanotechnology is a national issue that will affect our nation's social and economic climate. With appropriate members from a variety of stakeholders, we feel that the Nano-Risk CC will provide a forum to exchange information within and among all functions of research, education and extension with respect to nanotechnology risk analysis.
The following objectives are aligned with the vision and goals set forth in the National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan (1) and specifically support program component areas seven and eight of the strategic plan; Environment, Health and Safety (area 7) and Education and Societal Dimensions (area 8).
Objectives
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Survey the current field of nanotechnology risk analysis.
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Evaluate the current methods for their strengths and weaknesses with respect to risk analysis of nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and other nano-enabled products.
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Identify the strengths and gaps of the current methods with respect to nano-risk
(a) Identify the issues, needs, challenges and opportunities that nanomaterials present to the risk analysis framework
(b) Develop an understanding of the complexities in the nanotechnology realm and quantify the required measurable parameters needed to address challenges in a risk analysis framework
(c) Develop a research document that helps to address the gaps associated with nanotechnology risk analysis.
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Identify the needs and challenges specifically related to education and communication related to basic risk analysis for nanotechnology for the K-12 education and the public.
Procedures and Activities
The following tools will be used in the organization, development and implementation of the Nano-Risk Coordinating Committee (NRCC):
1. Recruitment. The initial focus of the NRCC will be to determine the focus of the committee and build out its charter membership from the public and private sectors.
2. Online Surveys to establish the needs of the nano-risk community. The NRCC will use vehicles developed through the Society for Risk Analysis and the Society of Toxicology to survey and determine the current state of the art on nanotechnology risk analysis.
3. Workshops and Meetings to Gather NRCC Members. Through the mechanism of workshops and other similar communication vehicles, the NRCC will develop a decision matrix and use multi-attribute value techniques (MAVT) to assess current methods in nanotechnology risk analysis. These workshops will also include graduate and undergraduate students as well as high school teachers to sponsor and encourage education of responsible nanotechnology and risk assessment in the next generation of scientists, engineers, regulators, and policy professionals.
4. White Papers and Peer-Reviewed Articles. The NRCC will disseminate their findings through traditional outlets such as issuing guidance white papers for public comment and submission of reviews articles and commentaries via the peer-reviewed literature.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- As outlined here there are some inherit difficulties in this broad research area because of the evolving nature surrounding the understanding of nanomaterials, their uses and resultant effects. However, bringing together a multistate research group greatly enhances the likelihood of success in (1) identifying challenges and (2) addressing them in the long term. The development and application of nanomaterials throughout the continuum has been and will continue to be a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary enterprise. As such, addressing the challenges would likely require interaction of many different science, engineering and social science disciplines. The multistate vehicle is a method to command such a broad base of intellectual capital focused on this topic. The NRCC provides a mechanism for land grant universities, public and private universities as well as private industry to work in concert addressing nanotechnology risk.<br>Once the needs are identified, novel risk analysis methods may be developed that will extend the current risk analysis framework thereby increasing framework robustness and more importantly define methods to better quantify the both risks and benefits of nanotechnology. Potential outcomes include - <br>Exchange of ideas and/or information/data throughout the public and private sectors,<br>Evaluation and standardization of risk analysis methods or techniques leading to the development of a common protocol for addressing nanotechnologies, and <br>Identify challenges posed in nano-technology risk
- Address these challenges in the long term
- The development and application of nanomaterials throughout the continuum has been and will continue to be a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary enterprise. As such, addressing the challenges would likely require interaction of many different science, engineering and social science disciplines. The multistate vehicle is a method to command such a broad base of intellectual capital focused on this topic. <br>The NRCC provides a mechanism for land grant universities, public and private universities as well as private industry to work in concert addressing nanotechnology risk.<br>Once the needs are identified, novel risk analysis methods may be developed that will extend the current risk analysis framework thereby increasing framework robustness and more importantly define methods to better quantify the both risks and benefits of nanotechnology.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
Inclusion of a variety of stakeholders in CC's is an important component of their success. With this mind, students and educators from K-12, undergraduate, and graduate programs will be invited to participate in several NRCC sponsored activities. As an example, we will invite high school teachers and community college instructors to the NRCC workshops and meetings. They will be asked to participate in the discussions and co-author any documents that result from those meetings. The NRCC will also provide tools for educating students in nanotechnology and risk sciences. These methods will enable proper and accurate dissemination and communication throughout the education continuum concerning the broad area of nanotechnology. Additionally, these opportunities will result in an increased enthusiasm for science, technology, and mathematics in the next generation of entering college students.
Organization/Governance
The recommended Standard Governance for multistate research activities include the election of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers are to be elected for at least two-year terms to provide continuity. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.
Literature Cited
1. Office of Science and Technology Policy: Office of the President. 2011. National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan. National Science and Technology Council, (subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology). February.
2. Shatkin JA and North W. 2010. Perspectives on Risk of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies: Advancing the Science, Risk Analysis, 30(11), 1627-1633.
3. Shatkin JA, Abbott LC, Bradley AW, Canady RA, Guidotti T, Kulinowski KM, Lofstedt RE, Louis G, MacDonell M, and Maynard AD. 2010. Nano Risk Analysis: Advancing the Science for Nanomaterials Risk Management, Risk Analysis, 30(11), 1608-1687.
4. USDA. 2011. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program: Foundational Program. FY2011 Request for Applications.