Law Commons^™

Nanotechnology, Environmental Risks, And Regulatory Options, Vincent R. Johnson

Faculty Articles

Nanotechnology today is viewed by many as a great advance in the quest for stronger and lighter materials, more effective pharmaceuticals, and better medicine. The critical question—largely unanswered—is whether this kind of science harbors destructive powers which, if fully understood, would call for restrictions or a ban on the use of certain types of nanotechnology. Current regulations in the United States and Europe cover chemicals that may be produced in nanoform. However, those regimes are not well designed to detect the risks posed by nanotechnology because they often fail to appreciate what is unique about nanomaterials. It is unlikely that …