Regulation and risk assessment of nanomaterials : too little, too late?
Technical University of Denmark - Lyngby
2009
111 p.
environmental impact assessment ; EU Directive ; health impact assessment ; regulation ; risk assessment ; thesis ; nanomaterials ; nanotechnology
Health and safety legislation
English
Bibliogr.;Ill.
"Nanotechnology is the latest in a long series of technologies heralded as ushering in a new era and current and future applications of nanotechnology are expected to hold immense societal and environmental benefits. Concerns have been raised about the safety and regulation of nanomaterials following a number of studies which indicated that some nanomaterials can cause adverse effects on laboratory animals. Data on nanoparticles, such as increasing production volumes and commercialization, capabilities to cross biological barriers, and increased biological activities of nanoparticles when compared to bulk counterparts, have worried some scientists, policy-makers, members of the public and industry and investors about their potential impacts on the health and safety of both humans and the environment.
The aim of this PhD Thesis is to:
1) investigate whether existing regulation is adequate in the short and the long term,
2) explore the feasibility of risk assessment for the purpose of dealing with the complex emerging risks of nanomaterials, and finally,
3) provide recommendations on how to govern nanotechnologies. […] "
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The ETUI is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ETUI.