Press Release
House Amends Nano Law to Strengthen Focus on Health, Environmental Risks
Leading environmental group praises provisions to address gaps in National Nanotechnology Initiative
Posted: 06-Jun-2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org
Richard Denison, 202-387-3500, rdenison@edf.org
(Washington, D.C. – June 6, 2008) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives today for passing the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 (H.R. 5940) by a vote of 407-6. EDF says the measure will help address critical environmental, health and safety (EHS) concerns that could arise from use of nanotechnology.
“The bill calls for much-needed changes both in the planning and decision-making processes of the NNI as they relate to EHS questions,” said Dr. Richard A. Denison, a senior scientist for Environmental Defense Fund. “It should also improve the extent and transparency of EHS-related information to be made publicly available. Overall, this bill should help substantially to achieve a better balance between the federal government’s dual roles in developing and advancing nanotechnology and in identifying and reducing its potential risks.”
EDF identified the following provisions as being particularly noteworthy:
|
Bill Provision
|
Current problem addressed
|
|
Public information: Requires development and maintenance of a public database that identifies each EHS-related project funded under the NNI, its source and amount of funding, and its relevance to the major EHS research objectives.
|
Lack of transparency in NNI’s public accounting for the amount of funding and relevance of currently funded activities to addressing EHS research needs.
|
|
Independent advice: Establishes “as a distinct entity” an Advisory Panel and requires designation of a subpanel whose members have expertise specific to EHS and other societal dimensions.
|
Corrects current use of the White House’s PCAST as the NNI’s advisory/oversight body; ensures appropriate expertise among advisors.
|
|
Senior coordinator for EHS activities: Designates an associate director within OSTP to oversee agency activities to address EHS (and other societal) concerns.
|
Lack of individual with responsibility and authority to conduct super-agency oversight of EHS efforts.
|
|
EHS research plan: Mandates detailed plan with interim milestones, actual and estimate needed timing and resource allocations to achieve identified objectives.
|
Failure of NNI to develop a comprehensive, accountable EHS research strategy.
|
|
Green nanotechnology: Expands mandate of NNI-funded research centers to include research to develop safer nano products and applications and foster technology transfer and education on green nanotechnology.
|
No specific focus on such directed research currently.
|
- Send to friend
- +
- Rate: Avg: --, 0 votes
Most Popular Pages
- Major Strides Made at Climate Talks in Buenos Aires Newsletter article about successes in implementing the Kyoto Protocol
- Americans Want Clean Energy: Poll after Poll Proves It
- In California, Passage of Water Bills Signals New Era EDF helps sparring groups come together to transform water policy
- Fred Krupp's Remarks to the Point Carbon Conference
- Victory Against Factory-Style Hog Farms in Colorado Newsletter article about new amendment in Colorado that makes hog farms responsible for pollution and other problems
Blogs Linking To This Release
Here are some of the blogs who've linked to this press release:
To appear in this list, link to this url in your posts.
