Nanotechnology and health

Nanotechnology — the design and manipulation of materials at the atomic and molecular scale — has great potential to deliver environmental and other benefits, but it may also pose significant risks to human health and the environment.

Novel properties emerge as materials reach the nano-scale that open the door to innovations in such applications as cleaner energy production, energy efficiency, water treatment and environmental remediation.

Looking before we leap

At the same time, these novel properties may pose new risks to workers, consumers, the public and the environment, as suggested by a number of preliminary studies. Environmental Defense Fund believes that both the public and private sectors need to comprehensively address the potential risks of this important new technology.

There is a real opportunity to advance nanotechnology in a responsible manner that acknowledges risks, takes the steps necessary to address them, and meaningfully engages the full array of stakeholders to help shape this technology’s trajectory — in short, the opportunity to "get it right the first time."

Our perspective on nanotechnology

There are three key objectives to our work:

• Increase risk research
• Improve regulatory policy
• Establish corporate standards of care

In each of these areas, both government and industry need to do a far better job engaging the broad array of stakeholders — labor groups, health organizations, consumer advocates, community groups and environmental NGOs. These stakeholders need to be involved from the outset in helping to identify expectations and concerns, and be provided a role in setting research and development priorities and agendas.