by Playfuls Staff |
20th March 2007
A team of U.S. and European experts say a life cycle assessment is needed for the safe use and sustainable [more] commercialization of nanotechnology.
With the number of nanotechnology-enabled products entering the market expected to grow from $30 billion reported in 2005 to $2.6 trillion in 2014, the researchers said numerous uncertainties exist regarding possible impacts on the environment and human health.
The report was simultaneously released Tuesday by the European Commission, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Pew Charitable Trusts.
"The lack of toxicity data specific to nanomaterials is a repeating theme in this and in other studies related to nanotech environmental, health, and safety concerns," said Andrew Maynard, chief scientist for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. "Nanotechnology is no longer a scientific curiosity. Its products are in the workplace, the environment, and home.
"But," he added, "if people are to realize nanotechnology's benefits ... the federal government needs an effective risk research strategy and sufficient funding in agencies responsible for oversight to do the job."
The report is available at: http://www.nanotechproject.org and http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology.
© 2007 UPI
