Nanotechnology Nexus—Intersection of Research, Science, Technology, and Regulation

ABSTRACT

Not a day passes where nanotechnology does not make headlines in the popular press, scientific journals, as well as in the regulatory arena. Environmental and public health activists are voicing a growing concern and focus on the risks potentially posed by nanotechnology and the ability of the government to regulate these new and exciting technologies. Whereas such concerns state the need for stringent, precautionary, and almost exclusionary approaches to the regulation of nanotechnology, many entities believe that a voluntary approach to these often novel materials and technologies is the appropriate and sensible path. In this editorial, we discuss the importance of nanotechnology, who cares, and the available options for approaching the regulation of this often novel technology. We focus on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and its voluntary regulatory data submission program as the preferred alternative. ²

²Comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their employers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Nanotechnology is on the cutting edge of science, technology, and regulation and as such, the authors have quoted many notable sources of information and thought pieces available. We compliment and thank those who have been working arduously in this extremely important area by freely quoting and using their thoughts and written text.

HERA editorials represent the views of the authors, not necessarily the views of the journal or its publisher.

Notes

²Comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their employers.

¹Panel member companies include: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Arkema Inc., BASF Corporation, Bayer Corporation, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation, Degussa Corporation, Dow, DuPont, Elementis Specialties, PPG Industries, Inc., Procter & Gamble, Rohm and Haas Company, Sasol North America, Inc., and Southern Clay Products, Inc.