Nanotechnology and the Environment: What's Next?

Abstract:     
If the terms "nanotechnology," "nanoparticles," and "engineered nanomaterials" (ENMs) are not yet in the daily vocabulary of attorneys practicing in the area of environmental law, they soon will be. We are seeing an explosion of interest in and information about nanotechnology, its uses and its risks. But the law has yet to develop in this field. Nanotechnology impacts many fields, including the development of pesticides, consumer products, electronics, and biomedical technology. As governmental and scientific bodies have begun to consider the potential hazards of ENMs, they have sought to achieve an appropriate balance between scientific innovation and public safety. This article examines current regulatory action related to nanotechnology and the environment in the U.S. and abroad and identifies the challenges these bodies will face in developing and implementing approaches to nanotechnology.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 3

Keywords: nanotechnology, environmental law

JEL Classification: K32

Accepted Paper Series