DuPont Position: DuPont’s interest in nanoscale materials is a natural extension of our rich and deep knowledge base in materials science and its applications. The nanostructure of materials has been a fundamental determinant of a material’s properties long before NS&E and nanotechnology were identified as distinct fields of study. However, the emergence of new tools and techniques for the measurement, characterization and control of nanoscale features gives rise to many new opportunities.

At the same time, DuPont recognizes that new nano-scale materials are raising questions about their potential impact on health, safety and the environment. These questions are being widely discussed and considered by regulatory agencies, public and private special interest organizations, and in several industry, scientific, national and international forums. DuPont believes that all parties with an interest or a stake in the responsible development and use of these new materials should work together to allow NS&E to reach its full potential. In particular, we advocate collaboration in the development of responsible safety standards and test methods; the coordination of research to generate reliable, peer reviewed data based on good science, and the adoption of appropriate regulations.

Background: NS&E is the precise design and control of the shape, size or structure of materials on the scale of 1-100 nanometers to create new or enhanced nanostructure-dependent properties (e.g. chemical, mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, biological). NS&E is arguably relevant to virtually every materials market and, as a result, can potentially create value for each of the five DuPont business platforms.

Headline: “An early and open examination of the potential risks of a new product or technology is not just good common sense – it’s good business strategy. With the right mix of voluntary corporate leadership, coordinated research, and informed regulation, we can reap the benefits of this promising technology while reducing the likelihood of unintended consequences.” -- DuPont Chairman & CEO Chad Holliday & Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp in the Wall Street Journal, June 14, 2005

DuPont Actions:

• In Sept. 2005, DuPont and Environmental Defense agreed to collaborate on a framework for the responsible development, production, use and disposal of nano-scale materials. The intent of this framework is to define a systematic and disciplined process that can be used to identify, manage and reduce potential health, safety and environmental risks of nano-scale materials across all lifecycle stages.
• DuPont coordinated the launch in June 2005 of a consortium of parties interested in nanoparticle occupational safety and health. This is a multi-stakeholder consortium of more than 14 industry, academic and government organizations formed to sponsor research that will further our understanding of factors relevant to the assessment and control of occupational exposures to engineered nanoparticles.
• Testified before the House Committee on Science on Nov. 17, 2005 on the safety, health and environmental implications of new nanoscale technologies.
• Member of the Chemstar Panel on nanomaterials, within the American Chemistry Council, that is developing recommendations for the EPA and for the chemical industry regarding safety, health and environmental issues and regulatory guidelines for nanoscale materials.
• Supporting research at the Rice University Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN), and are founding members of ICON, the International Council on Nanotechnology, also based at Rice University. ICON is a multi-stakeholder group, with representation from industry, academia, regulatory and non-governmental organizations to “assess, communicate, and reduce nanotechnology environmental and health risks while maximizing its societal benefit.”

Financial Stake: NS&E is arguably relevant to virtually every materials market and, as a result, can potentially create value for each of the five DuPont business platforms.

External Recognition: “DuPont's stance is a refreshing change from your typical corporate position, which has often been to refuse to consider -- let alone acknowledge in advance -- the possibility that some of the materials or chemicals being developed may pose an environmental, safety, or health risk. I am confident DuPont's openness will be rewarded in the marketplace.” -- Jack Uldrich commentary in Motley Fool, Dec. 22, 2005. Uldrich is the author of, The Next Big Thing Is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business, and president of The NanoVeritas Group.

Partnerships: Environmental Defense; Members of the occupational safety & health consortium include: DuPont, Procter & Gamble, Dow Chemical, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., Degussa, Rohm & Haas, PPG, Intel Corporation, the UK Health & Safety Executive, and the Department of Energy Office of Science; Rice University