Nanotechnology Project

Topics

Risk, Environmental, Health and Safety

Also see our Inventory of Environment, Health and Safety Research.

  • news/archive February 20, 2015 New CPSC Nanotechnology Center Would Focus on Risks to Consumers The Consumer Product Safety Commission has requested $7 million in funding for a new center focused on nanotechnology in consumer products.
  • news/archive October 28, 2013 Inventory Finds Increase in Consumer Products Containing Nanoscale Materials The updated Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory now contains 1,628 consumer products that have been introduced to the market since 2005, representing a 24 percent increase since the last update in 2010. In addition to finding new products introduced to the market, the newly re-launched inventory seeks to address scientific uncertainty with contributions from those involved with nanomaterials production, use, and analysis.
  • news/archive October 10, 2013 New Case Study Explores Influence of PEN Efforts A new case study looks at the work of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) amidst the shift away from government-led technology assessment.
  • news/archive October 3, 2012 NIOSH, CDC to Examine Health Effects of Carbon Nanotubes in Workplace The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health are taking public comment on their plans for a new exposure assessment and epidemiological study of U.S. workers that are exposed to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.
  • news/archive March 24, 2011 Nanotechnology between the lab and the shop floor: what are the effects on labor? A new report by STIP fellow Noela Invernizzi explores the market changes posed by nanotechnology that may be disruptive for some categories of workers.
  • events/archive December 1, 2010 Nanotechnology Research Directions for Societal Needs in 2020 Release of a new report,“Nanotechnology Research Directions for Societal Needs in 2020” (Eds. M. Roco, C. Mirkin and M. Hersam), Springer, 2010. video
  • news/archive March 26, 2010 Special Report on nanotechnology from AOL News AOL News published a three part series on nanotechnology. “Nanotechnology has long been hyped for its potential to cure diseases, ease energy problems, supercharge our computers and more. But increasing evidence shows that the engineered particles could pose a giant risk to the environment and human life.”
  • events/archive February 4, 2010 Contaminated Site Remediation: Are Nanomaterials the Answer? A new review article appearing in Environmental Health Perspectives focuses on the use of nanomaterials for environmental cleanup. The authors conclude that the technology could be an effective and economically viable alternative for some current site cleanup practices, but potential risks remain poorly understood. video
  • news/archive January 7, 2010 A call for more transparency and research funding for nanotechnology in the food industry The UK House of Lords Science and Technology Committee today released its first report of session 2009-10 “Nanotechnologies and Food” where they criticized the food industry for “failing to be transparent about its research into the uses of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials.”
  • news/archive October 13, 2009 Nanotechnologies Roundtable with Dr. Andrew Maynard A roundtable discussion with Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. Discussion topics include Dr. Maynard’s experience and current role; ‘nanotechnology’ basics and definitions; manufacturing process and opportunities; regulatory status; potential environmental and health concerns; and more. video
  • news/archive October 13, 2009 Nanolessons for Revamping Government Oversight of Technology A new article by PEN senior advisor J. Clarence (Terry) Davies calls for radical change in how the federal government oversees nanotechnology and other technologies to best protect human health and the environment.
  • events/archive September 23, 2009 Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies Nanotechnology will impact our lives on a global scale. Over the past year experts from the London School of Economics, Chatham House, Environmental Law Institute and the Project have been examining issues of transatlantic regulatory cooperation.
  • news/archive July 8, 2009 Contaminated Site Remediation: Are Nanomaterials the Answer? First Map of Global Nanoremediation Sites Available Online A new review article appearing in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) co-authored by Dr. Todd Kuiken, a research associate for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), focuses on the use of nanomaterials for environmental cleanup. It provides an overview of current practices; research findings; societal issues; potential environment, health, and safety implications; and possible future directions for nanoremediation. The authors conclude that the technology could be an effective and economically viable alternative for some current site cleanup practices, but potential risks remain poorly understood.
  • publications/archive April 28, 2009 PEN 18 - Oversight of Next Generation Nanotechnology Existing health and safety agencies are unable to cope with the risk assessment, standard setting and oversight challenges of advancing nanotechnology.
  • events/archive April 28, 2009 Oversight of Next Generation Nanotechnology When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was founded, automobiles ran on leaded gasoline without catalytic converters. A landmark report by J. Clarence Davies, Oversight of Next Generation Nanotechnology, describes how existing health and safety agencies are unable to cope with the risk assessment, standard setting and oversight challenges of 21st century technology. video