DuPont is a science company with a rich history in chemistry and materials science and with emerging strengths in biology and biotechnology.  The strength of the company's product portfolio is in the integration of its diverse technology capabilities to create high performance, novel products that the market demands. Nanoscale science & engineering, or nanoscience, is an important knowledge space that has the potential of creating new growth opportunities across most of the DuPont business portfolio.

The company's interest in nanoscale materials is a natural extension of its extensive 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 nanoscale 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 as needed. 

Background:  Nanoscale Science & Engineering 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.

"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 and
   Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp in the Wall Street Journal, 6/14/2005

• In January 2008, DuPont was the first company to provide product information under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Nanomaterials Stewardship Basic Program.
• DuPont and Environmental Defense have developed a framework for the responsible development, production, use and disposal of nanoscale materials.  The framework defines a systematic and disciplined process that can be used to identify, manage and reduce potential health, safety and environmental risks of nanoscale materials across all lifecycle stages.  The framework is now part of the mandatory stewardship process for all DuPont products containing new nanomaterials, and other interested parties are in the process of utilizing this resource.  It is available at www.nanoriskframework.com.
• 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 16 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.  This work has been completed, and the publication of the results will be released in 2008.
• DuPont NS&E professionals have testified at U.S. Congressional hearings and provided Congressional briefings on safety, health and environmental implications of new nanoscale materials and processes.
• The company is a member of the American Chemistry Council Nanotechnology Panel. The panel is developing recommendations for the EPA and for the chemical industry regarding safety, health and environmental issues and regulatory guidelines for nanoscale materials. 
• DuPont has supported research at the Rice University Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) and was a founding member 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.”
• DuPont, through the Business Industry Advisory Committee, is an active participant in the Working Party on Health and Environmental Safety Implications of Manufactured Nanomaterials – part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

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

3/08