The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a "peer consultation" on Sept. 6-7, 2007 to gather information on characterizing nanomaterials, the growing class of engineered materials that have structures with dimensions roughly one to 100 nanometers and can be used on surfaces to fight bacteria and germs. The meeting's goal is to help develop the EPA's Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). It's one of several actions the EPA has been taking to gather information to better understand potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology. EPA is requesting comment on:

• Characteristics currently used or potentially available to characterize nanoscale materials;
• Rationale for the use of these characteristics;
• Issues to consider regarding use of these characteristics in the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program.

For more information please visit http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/mc-mtginfo.htm.