The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

Flame Retardants Are Not All Created Equal

Here we discuss what exactly flame retardant chemicals are, why they are used in some classes of consumer products, and why blanket bans on such a diverse group of chemicals, such as the recent ban passed in Maine, is a bad idea when trying to protect consumers.

Environment, Policy, RegulationJames EdeSeptember 28, 2017Vireo Advisors, James Ede, Flame Retardants Ban, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maine, fire protection, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), organohalogens, human health effects, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), potential neurotoxic effects in humansComment

Open Access through 2017 of Special Edition of NanoImpact features work of Vireo Advisors and American Process Inc.

The special edition of the journal NanoImpact, A decade of Nanotoxicology Research: Impact on Human Health and the Environment 8th International Congress of Nanotoxicology is available with open access through 2017.

Commercialization, NanoEHS News, Nanomaterials, Risk Analysis, EnvironmentJames EdeAugust 17, 2017special edition of the journal NanoImpact, NanoImpact, Open Access, James Ede, Jo Anne Shatkin, Kimberly Ong, Kim Nelson, Theodora Retsina, American Process Inc, Vireo Advisors, Commercialization, data gapsComment

Personal Care Products Council says Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetics are "Tiny Contributors" to Marine Pollution

The UN Environment Programme's Clean Seas campaign has called for a global ban of microbeads in cosmetics due to their contribution to marine pollution.

Environment, Guidance, Leadership, Regulation, PolicyJames EdeAugust 3, 2017clean seas program, microbeads, microbead ban, UK, Taiwan, South Korea, UN, Ireland, PCPC, The Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations, U.S. Microbead-Free Waters ActComment

Canada to publish prioritization of nanoscale substances in 2018

Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada are currently in the process of completing a prioritization of nanomaterials on their Domestic Substances List.

Nanomaterials, Environment, Guidance, Risk AnalysisJames EdeJuly 28, 2017Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, prioritization of nanomaterials, Domestic Substances List, Chemicals Management Plan Progress Report, nanoscale substances, risk assessment, Canada, human health, environmentalComment

2017 TAPPI Nano Conference Hosts First Ever End User Forum for Cellulose Nanomaterials

The TAPPI Nanotechnology Division hosted its first ever end-user forum at this year’s conference, a significant milestone towards the wide-scale commercial adoption of cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs).

Vireo Advisors Holds a Health and Safety Workshop and Speak at the 2017 TAPPI Nano Conference in Montreal

A record number of over 300 participants attended TAPPI Nanotechnology Division’s 2017 International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials on June 5-8 in Montreal, Canada.

Inhalation of Cellulose Nanomaterials: Vireo Advisors Safety Spotlight 

In this post, we update our knowledge on inhalation of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and cellulose nano/micro fibril (CNF/CMF) dusts and discuss best practices for working safely with them.

Commercialization, Environment, Guidance, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Risk AnalysisJames EdeJune 2, 20172016 TAPPI Conferebce on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials, Inhalation of Cellulose Nanomaterials: Vireo Advisors Safety Spotlight, Vireo, P3 Nano, nanocrystal (CNC) and cellulose nano/micro fibril (CNF/CMF) dusts, CN hazards, worker safety, occupational exposure, Commercialization, roadmap, roadmap of the health and environmental safety of CNs, poorly soluble low toxicity (PSLT) dusts, respiratory protection, occupational exposure limit, Experimental setup, Particle and Fibre Toxicology, NIOSH, Nanotechnology, Efforts by P3Nano on the Safe and Responsible Commercialization of CNs, Günter Oberdörster, Professor Emeritus of the University of Rochester, USDA, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Memorandum of Understanding, Safety Data Sheets for CNC/CNF, Kimberly Ong, Jo Anne Shatkin, James EdeComment

Vireo's Shatkin & Ong Present at Tech Connect 2017

Representatives from research and development companies, governmental agencies, universities, investment firms, and more came together in Washington, D.C. for the annual Tech Connect World 2017 on May 14-17th.

New criteria for cleaning products introduced by EU Ecolabel

European Commission policy officer Kristine Dorosko announced at the Cleaning Products Europe Conference in March that stricter limits to the EU Ecolabel criteria for cleaning products will be introduced in June 2017.

New characterization factors for titanium dioxide

New characterization factors have been calculated to enable more realistic lifecycle assessments (LCAs) for products containing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles.

Environment, Risk Analysis, InnovationJames EdeMay 24, 2017TiO2, LCAs, lifecyle assessments, titanium dioxide (nano), Chemical emissions, Vireo Advisors, Characterization, USEtox, CTPs, nanoparticles, ecotoxicity, human health risksComment