| Nanotechnology has potential applications in many sectors of the American economy, including consumer products, health care, transportation, energy and agriculture. In addition, nanotechnology presents new opportunities to improve how we measure, monitor, manage, and minimize contaminants in the environment. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or “the Agency”) is interested in researching and developing the possible benefits of nanotechnology, EPA also has the obligation and mandate to protect human health and safeguard the environment by better understanding and addressing potential risks from exposure to nanoscale materials and products containing nanoscale materials (both referred to here as “nanomaterials”). |