DuPont Reveals Its Interest in Nanomaterials

To evaluate the effectiveness, flexibility and practicality of the Nano Risk Framework, announced on June 21 with Environmental Defense, DuPont conducted demonstration projects on three different classes of nanoscale materials: a new titanium dioxide-based product, carbon nanotubes and zero valent iron.

"These projects were selected not only because they are of interest to DuPont, but also because they represent a good test of the Framework," said DuPont Global Regulatory Affairs Director Terry Medley. "Each represents a different position for DuPont in the value chain and is at a different stage of development. The projects required different resources, produced varying outcomes, and each demonstrated different aspects of the Framework." The three projects were:

• A new titanium dioxide-based product, called DuPont™ Light Stabilizer 210, which is designed as sun protection for plastics. An announcement about this product and its commercial availability will be made in the near future. Not all of the particles in this product fit the specific definition of nanomaterials, since a significant fraction is larger than the threshold 100 nanometer size. However, this material proved to be a good test of the Framework's methodology. The Framework helped DuPont develop a comprehensive exposure and hazard profile for this material prior to commercialization.
• Carbon nanotubes incorporated into polymer nanocomposites to improve mechanical and electrical properties of engineering thermoplastics. DuPont currently conducts basic research and development using carbon nanotubes for potential future product applications. The company used the Framework to refine internal management procedures and to identify questions to be answered for such applications before they move from R&D toward commercialization.
• Nano zero valent iron, which DuPont was evaluating for potential use in groundwater remediation. Use of the Framework identified a number of questions regarding the physical safety, fate and transport of the material for this environmental application. DuPont chose not to pursue use of this material until these questions could be addressed.