California DTSC May Take Action Under Carbon Nanotube Information Call-In Program

California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has been gathering information from companies that produce or import carbon nanotubes in the state and has posted the information received by its January 22, 2010, deadline on the agency’s website. The agency has also indicated which companies did not submit the information requested; a news source reports that DTSC may take action through the attorney general’s office against them.

DTSC launched the information call-in program in 2009, hoping to identify information gaps and build data about carbon nanotubes. Manufacturers and importers were requested to supply information about “analytical test methods, fate and transport in the environment, and other relevant information.” The agency’s initial request involved reactive nanometal oxides, including aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc dioxide. It has since identified as nanomaterials of interest nano silver, nano zerovalent iron and cerium oxide.

According to a press report, agency sources have found some trends emerging from the company responses, including (i) research facilities and manufacturers use existing environmental health and safety policies to contend with human health exposures; (ii) universities treat nanomaterial waste like other lab waste; (iii) no one appears to know what customers are doing with carbon nanotubes or how they are disposing of them; and (iv) this lack of knowledge can be attributed to a lack of regulatory parameters or business practices requiring or promoting the collection of this data, which also could involve confidential business information and trade secrets. See Inside CalEPA, January 29, 2010.