FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 09, 2011

ACS GCI white paper offers “road map” for development of green nanotechnology

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2011 — Green Chemistry experts have developed a roadmap to ensure emerging nanotechnologies are safe for use by humans before they are introduced into the marketplace. The white paper, issued by the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute® (ACS GCI) and the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechologies Institute, stresses that more interdisciplinary cooperation could lead to better understanding of the potential risks of nanotechnology and the development of appropriate policies to address those concerns. These efforts, the authors say, will promote acceptance and use of “green” nanotechnology throughout the world.

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Doug Dollemore
202-872-4091
d_dollemore@acs.org

The report, “Green Nanotechnology Challenges and Opportunities,” outlines the promise of “green” nanotechnology –– which promotes the design of useful particles thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair in a way that reduces or eliminates waste or the production of hazardous substances. These nanoparticles could have multi-pronged uses in medicine, electronics, energy production and other industries. When successfully implemented, green nanotechnology could lead to a revitalized and sustainable U.S. chemical and materials manufacturing base, the white paper says. The report is available at www.acs.org/greenreport.

The ACS Green Chemistry Institute® works to catalyze and enable the implementation of green chemistry and engineering across the global chemical enterprise. ACS GCI organizes industrial roundtables, conducts conferences, seminars and training, maintains an international network of 26 green chemistry chapters and is leading efforts to establish the first consensus standard for greener chemicals and processes information in the United States with its partner, NSF International. www.acs.org/gci.

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