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PPG
Volunteers for U.S. EPA Nanoscale Materials Stewardship
Program
Other topics:
Nanotech Conference
PPG Industries
March 24, 2008
Pittsburgh, PA -- PPG Industries has volunteered to participate
in the basic program of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program
(NMSP).
The EPA launched the voluntary program in January to gather
key scientific information to help it assess, and where
appropriate make decisions on, chemical nanoscale materials
in or slated for production. |
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PPG has been engaged in innovative product
development based on the application of nanoscale materials
for some time," said Jim Trainham, PPG vice president,
science and technology. "As a leader in nanotechnology, we
are committed to participating in broad-based government and
private-sector efforts to support its safe and beneficial
use."
In a letter to PPG, James Gulliford, EPA assistant
administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
Substances, said, "I believe that early and active industry
participation in the NMSP can help ensure the responsible
development, use and acceptance of nanoscale materials in
the marketplace."
PPG will participate in the NMSP basic program and
voluntarily report available information on engineered
nanoscale materials it manufactures, imports or uses. These
data include information on material characterization,
hazard, use, potential exposures and risk-management
practices.
By joining this program, PPG continues to address
environmental, health and safety (EHS) aspects of
nanotechnology. A PPG associate served as chair of the
American Chemistry Council Nanotechnology Panel, and PPG was
a member of the Nanotechnology Occupational Safety and
Health (NOSH) Consortium as well as a founding member and
sponsor of the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization
Center. The company also has participated in various
congressional hearings and agency programs examining the EHS
aspects of nanotechnology.
PPG's nanotechnology solutions include patented innovations
such as thin-film, optically clear nanocomposites for
scratch and mar resistance as well as the reflection of
infrared and ultraviolet light from glass.
About NMSP
In October 2006, EPA launched a collaborative public process
to design and develop the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship
Program. EPA announced the final NMSP and invited interested
parties to participate as voluntary reporters Jan. 28, 2008,
and it plans to publish an interim report on the program
approximately a year from this launch date. For more
information, visit
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/stewardship.htm.
About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints,
coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials,
glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 150
manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates
in more than 60 countries. PPG's sales in 2007 were $11.2
billion. SigmaKalon, a worldwide coatings producer based in
Uithoorn, Netherlands, that PPG acquired Jan. 2, 2008, had
2007 sales of $2.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information,
visit www.ppg.com. |
