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Pressure increases on EU to regulate nanotechnology (Ars Technica, 5/29/08) |
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May 29, 2008 |
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Last week, we covered the report in Nature Nanotechnology
regarding the possible health hazard posed by some forms of carbon nanotubes.
This finding comes a year after a call by the Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee
nanotechnology in order to safeguard against possible dangers. Now, the same
call is being made, but to the European Union, not the EPA.
Traditionally, the US has been seen as the bastion of
consumer safety and protection. Legislation during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s
set the world standards for safe toys, appliances, chemicals, and drugs.
However, since the 1980s, those consumer protection standards and laws have
been steadily eroded by the courts and lawmakers.
…The high-profile nature of nanotechnology means that health
scares such as last week's are certain to garner headlines that both consumers
and legislators will read. Given that, it seems likely that even if the EPA
doesn't decide to regulate the compounds, the EU probably will.
Read the full article here.
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Last Updated ( June 02, 2008 )
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