The EPA has finalized new rules targeting multi-walled carbon nanotubes — and companies handling them may need to act now to stay compliant.
Employers face strict respiratory protection mandates, with required protection factors varying based on how effectively exposure is captured and reduced.
MWCNTs are flagged for a sweeping range of health hazards — from carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity to aquatic harm — triggering mandatory GHS-aligned hazard communication.
Generating vapor, mist, dust, or aerosol during processing triggers reporting requirements unless operations are fully enclosed.
EPA Publishes Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for MWCNTs ( Cloned )
NIA Staff
2 min read
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) by the end of 2024, including two specifically addressing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). These rules require reporting unless the substances meet certain criteria, such as being fully reacted (cured), entrained in a polymer, or incorporated into an article.
Key Provisions in SNURs for MWCNTs
1. Exposure Control Measures
Engineering controls (e.g., operation enclosures, ventilation) or administrative controls (e.g., workplace policies) must be implemented to minimize exposure.
If respirators are necessary:
A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 1,000 is required for capture and reduction rates ≥99.5% but <99.975%.
An APF of at least 50 is required for capture and reduction rates ≥99.975%.