Nanotechnology Project

Publications

Publications

Project Reports

  • September 9, 2008 PEN 15 - Silver Nanotechnologies and the Environment Old Problems or New Challenges? Widespread use of nanoscale silver will challenge regulatory agencies to balance important potential benefits against the possibility of significant environmental risk, highlighting the need to identify research priorities concerning this emerging technology, according to a new report released today by the Project. Samuel N. Luoma
  • August 21, 2008 PEN 14 - The Consumer Products Safety Commission and Nanotechnology The inability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to carry out its mandate with respect to simple, low-tech products such as children’s jewelry and toy trains bodes poorly for its ability to oversee the safety of complex, high-tech products made using nanotechnology, according to E. Marla Felcher. E. Marla Felcher
  • July 23, 2008 PEN 13 - Nanotechnology Oversight An Agenda for the Next Administration Few domestic policy areas that the new administration must address will have greater long-range consequences than nanotechnology — a new technology that has been compared with the industrial revolution in terms of its impact on society. If the right decisions are made, nanotechnology will bring vast improvements to almost every area of daily living. If the wrong decisions are made, the American economy, human health and the environment will suffer. J. Clarence (Terry) Davies
  • June 25, 2008 Assuring the Safety of Nanomaterials in Food Packaging The Regulatory Process and Key Issues Engineered nanoscale materials (ENMs), which contain novel properties that offer potential benefits for use in food packaging, raise new safety evaluation challenges for regulators and industry. The report examines the path of a number of hypothetical nanotechnology food packaging applications through the current regulatory system. Michael R. Taylor
  • April 9, 2008 PEN 11 - Room at the Bottom? Potential State and Local Strategies for Managing the Risks and Benefits of Nanotechnology 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. Suellen Keiner
  • January 4, 2008 Looking Back on the First Two Years Biennial Report This report reviews the Project’s major activities, key contributions, and most significant impacts over its first two years. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
  • July 1, 2007 Where Does the Nano Go? End-of-Life Regulation of Nanotechnologies PEN 10, July 2007 All materials and products eventually come to the end of their useful life, and those made with nanotechnology are no different. This means that engineered nanomaterials will ultimately enter the waste stream and find their way into landfills or incinerators—and eventually into the air, soil and water. As a result, it is important to consider how various forms of nanomaterials will be disposed of and treated at the end of their use, and how the regulatory system will treat such materials at the various stages of their lifecycle. Linda K. Breggin, John Pendergrass
  • May 1, 2007 EPA and Nanotechnology: Oversight for the 21st Century PEN 9, May 2007 As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently stated, nanotechnology has evolved from a futuristic idea to watch to a current issue to address. A new report by J. Clarence (Terry) Davies considers various oversight tools for dealing with nanotechnology and proposes a number of action steps for government, industry, and other stakeholders. J. Clarence Davies
  • April 1, 2007 Green Nanotechnology: It’s Easier Than You Think (Report) PEN 8, April 2007 The ability to eliminate waste and toxins from production processes early on, to create more efficient and flexible solar panels, and to remove contaminants from water is becoming an exciting reality with nanotechnology. This “green nanotechnology” involves designing nanoproducts for the environment and with the environment in mind. Last spring, stakeholders came together to participate in a series of dialogues on the topic, hosted by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. This report highlights the research breakthroughs, industry perspectives, and policy options discussed at those meetings. Karen F. Schmidt