How Should Engineered Nanomaterials Be Regulated for Public and Environmental Health?

Abstract

A central ethical and policy issue regarding minimizing and managing risks of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is whether existing legal frameworks sufficiently protect public health and the environment. This article argues that policymakers should (1) use existing laws to regulate ENMs and the best available evidence to inform appropriate levels of regulation and (2) support additional research on risks of ENMs. Were they to do so, public health and environmental risks of ENMs could be minimized and managed without sacrificing their potential clinical, social, and economic benefits.

Environmental Impact of Nanoparticles’ Application as an Emerging Technology: A Review

“…On the other hand, the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States [158] takes over the emissions in the air, water and soil, and the waste produced by chemical products in the farming industry. This regulation faces several difficulties, such as different NPs types that impede the development of general rules and laws, controlling every environmental emission pathway including regular employment attrition and lack of consolidated information about environmental impact and long-term risks [159].…”

Salivary Leucocytes as In Vitro Model to Evaluate Nanoparticle-Induced DNA Damage

“…Together with the direct exposure of subjects involved in nanomaterial manufacturing processes or patients subjected to nanomedical procedures and/or treatments, these new products can be released into the environment and appear in water, air, and soil, becoming environmental pollutants and entailing a potential threat for both humans and ecosystems [1]. Consequently, the risk assessment of nanomaterials entering the environment and present in workplaces is becoming an increasingly important issue for governments, regulatory authorities, and international organizations that work in developing policy frameworks and guidance documents related to nanotechnology and nanosafety [2,3]. A key advance on this topic has been recently made to provide clear guidance on aquatic toxicity testing of manufactured nanomaterials using OECD methods [4].…”

Testing Anti-Biofilm Polymeric Surfaces: Where to Start?

“…Furthermore, nanotechnology has offered many opportunities for innovation. However, the use of nanomaterials has sometimes raised safety [62], environmental [63] and regulatory issues [64] that are still unresolved.…”