Background on Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology

At the nanoscale, particles quantum properties may predominate over the properties that are predicted by classical physical chemistry. For example, titanium dioxide in bulk is an opaque white substance, but when it is made in particles of 15 nanometers or less it is clear. That makes it an ideal component for sunscreens because it absorbs ultraviolet light, and in fact sunscreens with nanoparticles of titanium dioxide can be purchased at most drug stores.  

Nanotechnology promises significant advances in fuel cells, environmental remediation, drug delivery systems, energy efficient fighting, and many other fields. Consumer products as diverse as sunscreens, tennis balls, food storage containers, and clothes washing machines contain nanomaterials. 

The Project on Emerging Nano techno Igies (PEN) identified 1015 consumer products that contain nanomaterials as of August 2009. Using the PEN database and others, the EPA estimated that there are 91 nanomaterials manufactured for commercial purposes in those products, and a total of 234 nanomaterials that have been made for either commercial or research purposes.  

There are naturally occurring nanoparticles in soot and volcanic ash, and nanoparticles have been used since the Middle Ages to color stained glass. When used in products, nanomaterials can be either free or fixed. Free nanomaterials are in solution or suspension, and are in products such as sunscreens and fuels. Fixed nanomaterials are in composites such as resins 

Sunscreens are regulated under the Federal Food. Drug and Cosmetic Act and not under TSCA. 

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