Nov 14 2008
The UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) has launched a report entitled 'Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of nanotechnology'. The Commission explains that the underlying study was originally described to examines issues related 'novel materials', but that, the evidence received by the Commission was almost entirely focused on manufactured nanomaterials.
Summarising the report, Sir John Lawton, Chair of the Commission, said ‘In the Royal Commission study we looked hard for evidence of nanomaterials causing harm to human health or to the environment, and found no such evidence. However, it is very early in the development of this technology, and the amount of testing has been relatively limited. We are aware that laboratory tests on some nanomaterials suggest that they have properties which could cause concern. […] On balance, the Commission concluded that there were no grounds for a blanket ban or moratorium on nanomaterials.’
The report concludes with a number of recommendations: [...]
During the course of the study, the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA) and its member companies contributed to the evidence gathering process in a number of ways, including a presentation delivered at the launch event, a written response to a questionnaire circulated by the RCEP, initiation of a meeting between the RCEP review panel assigned to the study and industry representatives, as well as invited visits of the RCEP panel representatives to NIA member companies.
Follow these links to find out more about the RCEP’s work on nanomaterials, to download the complete RCEP Report, to download the RCEP Report summary, or to read the full press release .