Project Press Releases
- July 21, 2008pdfNanotechnology: Learning From Past MistakesA new expert analysis in Nature Nanotechnology questions whether industry, government and scientists are successfully applying lessons learned from past technologies to ensure the safe and responsible development of emerging nanotechnologies. The study applies the 12 “late lessons from early warnings,” published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in 2001, to the emerging field of nanotechnology.
- May 19, 2008pdfCarbon Nanotubes That Look Like Asbestos, Behave Like AsbestosA major study published today in Nature Nanotechnology suggests some forms of carbon nanotubes could be as harmful as asbestos if inhaled in sufficient quantities. The study used established methods to see if specific types of nanotubes have the potential to cause mesothelioma — a cancer of the lung lining that can take 30-40 years to appear following exposure.
- April 24, 2008pdfNew Nanotech Products Hitting the Market at the Rate of 3-4 Per WeekNew nanotechnology consumer products are coming on the market at the rate of three to four per week, a finding based on the latest update to the nanotechnology consumer product inventory maintained by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN). The number of consumer products using nanotechnology has grown from 212 to 609 since PEN launched the world’s first online inventory of manufacturer-identified nanotech goods in March 2006.
- April 19, 2008pdfEurope Spends Nearly Twice as Much as U.S. on Nanotech Risk ResearchA new analysis by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) indicates that European nations are investing nearly twice as much as the U.S. in research primarily aimed at addressing the potential risks of nanotechnology. The analysis also highlights a substantial over-inflation of the federal government’s nanotechnology risk-research investment figures for the U.S.
- April 16, 2008pdfLimited Transparency In Federal Nanotech Research May Hamper DevelopmentToday at a House Science and Technology Committee’s hearing, testimony from Dr. Andrew Maynard highlighted shortfalls in the current U.S. Government strategy. According to Dr. Maynard, without clear leadership and more transparency in federal risk research investment, the emergence of safe nanotechnologies will be a happy accident, rather than a foregone conclusion.
- April 9, 2008pdfSlow Federal Action to Oversee Nanotechnology Leaves ‘Room At The Bottom’State and local governments often have adopted trailblazing initiatives to address environmental, health and safety concerns in advance or in lieu of federal action. With nanotechnology, an emerging field of science with unknown risks, this practice is continuing, a landmark study has found.
- March 11, 2008pdfNew Nanotechnology Television Series Does “Sweat the Small Stuff”; Washington, DC Premiere Event Features U.S. Senator Ron WydenThe Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies and National Science Foundation will host the Washington, DC, premiere event for the television series “Nanotechnology: The Power of Small” on Wednesday evening, April 2. The event—by invitation only—will include remarks by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a co-chair of the Congressional Nanotechnology Caucus.
- March 7, 2008pdfEPA Issues Major Enforcement Action on Nano-PesticideThe Environmental Protection Agency has made the decision to fine technology company IOGEAR more than $200,000 for selling unregistered nano-pesticides. At issue are antibacterial claims made by IOGEAR related to its computer peripheral products. All of the products in question are listed in the Project’s inventory of nanotechnology consumer products.
- February 26, 2008pdfFederal Toxics Disclosure Law Could Help Inform Public Of Nanotechnology RisksThe Project has released a first-time legal analysis that finds a key federal toxics reporting statute could be applied to production and commercialization of nanotechnology, providing the public with more information about these revolutionary – yet still potentially risky – technologies.
- February 19, 2008pdfFederal Nanotech Risk Research Plan Still Comes Up ShortAn improved but still flawed government-wide plan for nanotechnology risk research is the result of a broken system. Federally-funded studies essential to managing possible risks from this cutting-edge technology should be guided by a top-down strategy tied to projected commercialization, expected human and environmental exposures, and the regulatory decision-making process.
