WASHINGTON, DC – The EPA has awarded $5.5 million to three consortia to support research on nanotechnology. The EPA is collaborating with the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council on the project.

The grants will help researchers determine whether certain nanomaterials can leach out of products such as paints, plastics and fabrics when they are used or disposed of, and whether they could become toxic to people and the environment.

In addition to EPA’s $5.5 million, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has contributed $500,000 through a new research partnership between the two agencies. Grant awards were made to three consortia consisting of researchers from the United States and the UK.