January 18, 2007, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, EST (18:00-20:00 GMT)

The Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), presents the 2007 edition of RiskeLearning “Nanotechnology: Applications and Implications for Superfund,” a series of online seminars to highlight the potential of nanotechnology to support characterization and remediation of hazardous waste sites as well as explore the potential risks of this new class of compounds.

Nanotechnology refers to the development and use of nanomaterials (substances with one dimension less than 100 nanometers) which possess unique optical, magnetic, or electrical properties. Nanomaterials are already appearing in commerce as additives or modifications to industrial and consumer products, and as novel drug delivery agents. Nanotechnologies and nanomaterials are expected to provide major societal and environmental benefits. While governments, industry, and academia are excited about potential benefits that may arise, there is also an acknowledgement of the need to understand and consider potential human health and environmental issues.

This session will provide an introduction to the subsequent RiskeLearning seminars by covering definitions, forms and uses of nanotechnology. Superfund-related issues will be discussed including how these materials may be used to detect or treat contaminated media as well as recent efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). to characterize the risks these materials may pose. The session will feature Dr. Nora Savage, at the EPA’s Office of Research and Development as well as Dr. Nigel Walker, at NTP, based at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The session will be moderated by Dr. William Suk, Director of SBRP at NIEHS.

• Nora Savage, EPA Office of Research and Development (savage.nora@epa.gov)
• Nigel Walker, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (walker3@niehs.nih.gov)

• William A. Suk, Director, Superfund Basic Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (suk@niehs.nih.gov)

Press the "Go to Seminar" button to view the seminar. Please be at this location at the beginning of the conference call.

An archive of this seminar is available for download in Microsoft PowerPoint Format, Adobe Acrobat, and MP3 formats.