Nanotechnology: Increase Risk Research
Posted: 14-Mar-2006; Updated: 21-Feb-2008
Government and industry need to act now to ensure that the risks of nanomaterials are identified and addressed before such materials are incorporated into products for commercial production. Far more federal research dollars need to be spent on health and environmental implications of nanotechnology, to ensure that the critical research needed to identify potential risks is done expeditiously. Similarly, private industry needs to invest in generating data on the hazards of nanotechnology products before exposing workers, consumers, the public and the environment.
Get the Details
- Testimony of Dr. Richard A. Denison [PDF] (10/07) and Supplemental Testimony [PDF] (11/07), submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science for a hearing on "Environmental and Safety Impacts of Nanotechnology: Current Status of Planning and Implementation Under the National Nanotechnology Initiative."
- Letters to Senate and House Appropriations Committees:
- Letter signed by 19 organizations [PDF], including large and small businesses as well as environmental groups, urging Congress to provide funding for the National Academy of Sciences to develop a roadmap and strategy to guide the federal government's environmental, health and safety research on nanomaterials. (2/07)
- Letter signed by 14 organizations [PDF], including large and small businesses as well as environmental groups, urging Congress to "significantly increase appropriations directed to research on the health and environmental implications of nanotechnology." (2/06)
- Environmental Defense proposal [PDF] to increase U.S. federal funding of nanotechnology risk research to at least $100 million annually. Analysis providing support for spending at this level to identify the potential risks of nanomaterials. (4/05)
- Environmental Defense Presentation at the Environmental Law Institute/Woodrow Wilson Center Forum on Nanotechnology: Technical aspects of identifying risks [PDF] (5/05)
- Testimony of Dr. Richard A. Denison [PDF] to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Science for a Hearing on "Environmental and Safety Impacts of Nanotechnology: What Research is Needed?" (11/05)
- Environmental Defense presentation to the National Academy of Sciences' Committee to Review the National Nanotechnology Initiative - Provides our views on the federal government's role in addressing nanotechnology risks.
Written statement[PDF] | PowerPoint slides[PDF] (3/05) -
Bibliography [PDF] of references and abstracts of risk-related research studies on nanomaterials compiled by Environmental Defense. (4/05)
