In December 2004, EPA’s Science Policy Council (SPC) formed a cross-Agency
Nanotechnology Workgroup to develop a white paper examining potential environmental
applications and implications of nanotechnology. This document describes the issues that EPA
should consider to ensure that society benefits from advances in environmental protection that
nanotechnology may offer, and to understand and address any potential risks from environmental
exposure to nanomaterials. Nanotechnology will have an impact across EPA. Agency managers
and staff are working together to develop an approach to nanotechnology that is forward thinking
and informs the risk assessment and risk management activities in our program and regional
offices. This document is intended to support that cross-Agency effort.