ITA International Partners with the National Institutes of Health to Advance Nanosafe Tested™ Third Party Verification Process for Safer Consumer Products
Newport News, Va. – July 31, 2023 – ITA International (ITA), a provider of data, technology, and professional services, was recently awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant enables ITA to advance the NanoSafe Tested™ program.
“Our collaboration with NIH on the NanoSafe Tested program marks a pivotal milestone in ITA’s vision to create a secure, stable, and sustainable human ecosystem,” said Mike Melo, chief executive officer, ITA. “By enhancing our ability to assess exposure risks and effectively communicate these findings, we aim to empower consumers with informed choices and drive manufacturers to prioritize safety.”
The NanoSafe Tested™ program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at characterizing exposures to products containing engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and respirable particulate matter (PM) to ensure consumer safety and support safety-conscious manufacturers.
Consumer products increasingly incorporate ENMs or generate PM at levels known to introduce negative health effects. However, consumers and even manufacturers are often unaware of the potential dangers presented by certain products. To address this critical issue, ITA, in collaboration with NIH, aims to develop an agile exposure assessment service utilizing cutting-edge characterization equipment and broad mass communication avenues to safeguard consumers and support manufacturers committed to safety.
“We know that many nanomaterials present increased health hazards over larger particles because of higher reactivity and deeper penetration into respiratory pathways,” said Dr. Cary Hill, principal investigator for the effort. “Unfortunately, product innovation far outpaces the regulatory cycle. As products containing engineered nanomaterials are increasingly brought to market, the NanoSafe Tested™ program provides an approach today to allow for innovation while we wait for regulation to catch up, encouraging responsible product design by manufacturers to enable informed selections by consumers.”
ITA and NIH will refine evaluation protocols for advanced manufacturing products (such as 3D printers and laser engravers), cosmetics, filtration appliances, face masks and other high-risk products. Additionally, avenues and methods for effectively translating and communicating technical measurements to a broad consumer base will be developed, in hopes of fostering informed purchasing decisions.
Products transparently tested by NanoSafe Tested™ protocols may have reported results that will earn the prestigious NanoSafe Tested™ label. These efforts will encourage consumer purchase of safer ENM-containing and PM-generating products, inspiring manufacturers to develop consumer goods with reduced ENM and PM exposure risk.
ITA successfully acquired NanoSafe Inc., a renowned company specializing in environmental health and safety of nanotechnology, in April 2023. With NanoSafe’ Inc.’s disciplined scientific approach and ITA’s data-driven initiatives, the ITA Stability and Sustainability (ITASAS) business unit, led by Jon Greene, is poised to make significant strides in reducing health and environmental risks and promoting sustainable practices.
About ITA International
ITA International is a global service provider leveraging subject matter expertise, data analytics and technology ensuring mission success for customers, “In The Arena.” Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, ITA International employs more than 300 ITAers operating around the globe.
ITA International Partners with the National Institutes of Health to Advance Nanosafe Tested™ Third Party Verification Process for Safer Consumer Products
Newport News, Va. – July 31, 2023 – ITA International (ITA), a provider of data, technology, and professional services, was recently awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant enables ITA to advance the NanoSafe Tested™ program.
“Our collaboration with NIH on the NanoSafe Tested program marks a pivotal milestone in ITA’s vision to create a secure, stable, and sustainable human ecosystem,” said Mike Melo, chief executive officer, ITA. “By enhancing our ability to assess exposure risks and effectively communicate these findings, we aim to empower consumers with informed choices and drive manufacturers to prioritize safety.”
The NanoSafe Tested™ program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at characterizing exposures to products containing engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and respirable particulate matter (PM) to ensure consumer safety and support safety-conscious manufacturers.
Consumer products increasingly incorporate ENMs or generate PM at levels known to introduce negative health effects. However, consumers and even manufacturers are often unaware of the potential dangers presented by certain products. To address this critical issue, ITA, in collaboration with NIH, aims to develop an agile exposure assessment service utilizing cutting-edge characterization equipment and broad mass communication avenues to safeguard consumers and support manufacturers committed to safety.
“We know that many nanomaterials present increased health hazards over larger particles because of higher reactivity and deeper penetration into respiratory pathways,” said Dr. Cary Hill, principal investigator for the effort. “Unfortunately, product innovation far outpaces the regulatory cycle. As products containing engineered nanomaterials are increasingly brought to market, the NanoSafe Tested™ program provides an approach today to allow for innovation while we wait for regulation to catch up, encouraging responsible product design by manufacturers to enable informed selections by consumers.”
ITA and NIH will refine evaluation protocols for advanced manufacturing products (such as 3D printers and laser engravers), cosmetics, filtration appliances, face masks and other high-risk products. Additionally, avenues and methods for effectively translating and communicating technical measurements to a broad consumer base will be developed, in hopes of fostering informed purchasing decisions.
Products transparently tested by NanoSafe Tested™ protocols may have reported results that will earn the prestigious NanoSafe Tested™ label. These efforts will encourage consumer purchase of safer ENM-containing and PM-generating products, inspiring manufacturers to develop consumer goods with reduced ENM and PM exposure risk.
ITA successfully acquired NanoSafe Inc., a renowned company specializing in environmental health and safety of nanotechnology, in April 2023. With NanoSafe’ Inc.’s disciplined scientific approach and ITA’s data-driven initiatives, the ITA Stability and Sustainability (ITASAS) business unit, led by Jon Greene, is poised to make significant strides in reducing health and environmental risks and promoting sustainable practices.
About ITA International
ITA International is a global service provider leveraging subject matter expertise, data analytics and technology ensuring mission success for customers, “In The Arena.” Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, ITA International employs more than 300 ITAers operating around the globe.
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Media Contact
Lauren G. Barnes
Vice President
Corporate Communications & Branding
LBarnes@ita-intl.com
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