PHA-Exchange> nanotechnology

[claudio at hcmc.netnam.vn]

 From Laura Turiano


An international coalition of non- governmental organizations, including some 
of our partners, has just published a set of principles to guide the 
development of nanotechnology in a precautionary fashion. Organizations can 
still endorse these principles by emailing gkimbrell at icta.org.
 
Should PHM sign on to the document?
 
International Center for Technology Assessment, July 31, 2007

URGENT CALL FOR STRONG OVERSIGHT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Washington, DC -- With the joint release today of Principles for the Oversight 
of Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials, a broad international coalition of 
consumer, public health, environmental, labor, and civil society organizations 
spanning six continents called for strong, comprehensive oversight of the new 
technology and its products.

The manufacture of products using nanotechnology -- a powerful platform for 
manipulating matter at the level of atoms and molecules in order to alter 
properties -- has exploded in recent years. Hundreds of consumer products 
incorporating nanomaterials are now on the market, including cosmetics, 
sunscreens, sporting goods, clothing, electronics, baby and infant products, 
and food and food packaging. But evidence indicates that current nanomaterials 
may pose significant health, safety, and environmental hazards. In addition, 
the profound social, economic, and ethical challenges posed by nano-scale 
technologies have yet to be addressed.

As Chee Yoke Ling of the Third World Network explained, "Materials engineered 
at the nano-scale can exhibit fundamentally different properties -- including 
toxicity -- with unknown effects. Current research raises red flags that 
demand precautionary action and further study." She added, "As there are now 
hundreds of products containing nanomaterials in commerce, the public, 
workers, and the environment are being exposed to these unlabeled, and in most 
cases, untested materials."

George Kimbrell of the International Center for Technology Assessment 
continued, "Since there is currently no government oversight and no labeling 
requirements for nano-products anywhere in the world, no one knows when they 
are exposed to potential nanotech risks and no one is monitoring for potential 
health or environmental harm. That's why we believe oversight action based on 
our principles is urgent."

This industrial boom is creating a growing nano-workforce which is predicted 
to reach two million globally by 2015. "Even though potential health hazards 
stemming from exposure have been clearly identified, there are no mandatory 
workplace measures that require exposures to be assessed, workers to be 
trained, or control measures to be implemented," explained Bill Kojola of the 
AFL-CIO. "This technology should not be rushed to market until these failings 
are corrected and workers assured of their safety."

"Nanomaterials are entering the environment during manufacture, use, and 
disposal of hundreds of products, even though we have no way to track the 
effects of this potent new form of pollution," agreed Ian Illuminato of 
Friends of the Earth. "By the time monitoring catches up to commerce, the 
damage will already have been done."

The coalition's declaration outlines eight fundamental principles necessary 
for adequate and effective oversight and assessment of the emerging field of 
nanotechnology.

I. A Precautionary Foundation: Product manufacturers and distributors must 
bear the burden of proof to demonstrate the safety of their products: if no 
independent health and safety data review, then no market approval.

II. Mandatory Nano-specific Regulations: Nanomaterials should be classified as 
new substances and subject to nano-specific oversight. Voluntary initiatives 
are not sufficient.

III. Health and Safety of the Public and Workers: The prevention of exposure 
to nanomaterials that have not been proven safe must be undertaken to protect 
the public and workers.

IV. Environmental Protection: A full lifecycle analysis of environmental 
impacts must be completed prior to commercialization.

V. Transparency: All nano-products must be labeled and safety data made 
publicly available.

VI. Public Participation: There must be open, meaningful, and full public 
participation at every level.

VII. Inclusion of Broader Impacts: Nanotechnologys wide-ranging effects, 
including ethical and social impacts, must be considered.

VIII. Manufacturer Liability: Nano-industries must be accountable for 
liabilities incurred from their products.

The complete document is available at numerous endorsing organizations 
websites, including www.icta.org.


Press Contacts:

George Kimbrell, ICTA (202) 547-9359, gkimbrell at icta.org; Bill Kojola, AFL-
CIO, (202)-637-5003, bkojola at aflcio.org; Peter Rossman, IUF, +41 22 793 2233, 
peter.rossman at iuf.org; Ian Illuminato, Friends of the Earth U.S., (202)- 222-
0735, IIlluminato at foe.org; Kathy Jo Wetter, ETC Group, (613) 241-2267 
etc at etcgroup.org; Chee Yoke Ling, Third World Network, +6012 3768858, 
yokeling at myjaring.net; Rick Worthington, Loka Institute, (909) 607-3529, 
RKW14747 at pomona.edu




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