Regulation of nanotechnology

Because of concerns about the implications of nanotechnology, many people discuss if nanotechnology or nanotechnology-based products need special government regulation. This discussion mainly focuses on when to check new substances before they become available to the public.

Nanotechnology is used in many everyday items – like socks, clothes, tennis racquets, and cleaning tools. Because of this, some people want more public involvement and better rules to manage these technologies. But, right now, there are no special rules to control research, commercial use, or labeling of products that contain nanoparticles.

Regulatory groups such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S., or the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission, are looking at possible risks from nanoparticles. At this time, there are no special rules for making, handling, or labeling products that include engineered nanoparticles or materials.

Managing risks: human and environmental health and safety

Further information: Implications of nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology

Scientists study how very small particles used in nanotechnology might affect our health and the environment. They have found that smaller particles can sometimes be more harmful than larger ones because there are more of them. Current ways to check if something is safe are not always good for these tiny particles, so special tools are needed to detect and measure them.

Regulatory groups in the United States and the European Union think that nanoparticles may pose new risks and need careful testing. The International Council on Nanotechnology keeps a large collection of research papers on this topic, and the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies lists many products that use nanotechnology, though this is only a small part of all such products. Safety information for these materials does not always clearly show if they are in their tiny form, making it harder to know exactly how safe they are.

Democratic governance

Many think that governments should let people help shape new science and technology, like nanotechnology. This can happen through public meetings, voting, or including community members on special committees. These steps help make sure everyone’s voice is heard when new technologies are developed.

Some say that without strong rules, nanotechnology could bring health and safety risks for people and the environment. Good regulation helps balance these risks with the benefits of new technology. It also makes sure the public’s interests are considered as these technologies grow and change.

Arguments against regulation

Many people think we need new rules for nanotechnology because it seems very different. But most countries already check new products for safety before they are sold. They have done this for many years, even for tiny particles like carbon black, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.

Some people believe we don’t need special rules just for tiny particles. They say that most important uses of nanotechnology are still a long way off, and it’s hard to make rules for things that might not even work yet. For now, they think we can use small changes to the rules we already have for new nanomaterials.

Response from governments

United Kingdom

In 2004, the United Kingdom's Royal Society published a report about nanotechnologies. The report said that many nanotechnologies do not create new health risks. But it encouraged careful handling of tiny particles and tubes made from these materials. It suggested that these materials should be tested for safety before being sold.

The report also said that the public should be part of discussions about the risks of nanotechnology. Decisions should be made openly.

United States

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) works with other agencies to manage nanotechnology products. In 2009, the FDA asked for more information about how nanomaterials move in the environment and how they might affect people, animals, and plants.

Some people thought the government did not make enough rules or require enough labeling for these products.

California

In 2006, California passed a law allowing the state to ask for information about the health and environmental effects of chemicals, including nanomaterials. In 2008, the state asked manufacturers of carbon nanotubes for more details about these materials. This helped the state learn how these tiny materials might affect the environment and health.

European Union

The European Union created a group to study the risks of nanotechnology. Countries like France, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark have made their own lists of nanomaterials. The European Union also plans to create a central place to collect information about the safety and use of nanomaterials.

Response from advocacy groups

In January 2008, many groups joined together to ask for careful oversight of nanotechnology. They said that everyday products like sunscreen and clothing now contain tiny materials that could be harmful to health and the environment. They stressed the need for clear rules to keep people and the planet safe.

These groups offered eight key ideas for safely managing nanotechnology. These ideas included better rules for workers, sharing more information with the public, and holding manufacturers responsible. Some organizations, such as Friends of the Earth, suggested creating special agencies to oversee nanotechnology rules. This would help ensure that all products are checked properly and safely.

Technical aspects

Regulation of nanotechnology needs clear rules about the size of tiny particles involved. Scientists debate what size should count as "nano," but most agree it involves particles from about 1 to 300 nanometers—so small that they can behave differently from larger materials and may affect living cells.

Traditional rules for chemicals often focus on how much of a substance is present. However, because nanoparticles are so tiny, they often don’t reach these amounts. Experts suggest that rules for nanotechnology should consider more than just size or weight, such as how the surface area of these particles might affect their effects.