EPA scrutinizing nanotech due to mesothelioma fearsWashington, DC - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency head Lisa Jackson has announced that she intends to tighten regulations on nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Nanomaterials is a blanket term that is used describe very small particles, often invisible to the naked eye, that have been developed for use in a variety of industries, from advanced medical technology to cosmetics. The National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense are both pioneering new uses for nanotechnology.
While there are many ways that nanomaterials may benefit society, some critics argue that environmental and health risks associated with the particles are not well understood. Because of their miniscule size, they could easily lodge themselves in tissues of the body and be almost impossible to remove.
One of the nanomaterials drawing the most criticism is carbon nanotubes, which are used in a variety of consumer goods because of their strength and flexibility. However, some argue that if these tiny particles are inhaled, they could cause lung cancer or mesothelioma, much in the same way that asbestos can. Further research is needed to verify the possible link between carbon nanotubes and lung disease.
According to Steve Owens, the EPA's assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, "We at EPA...intend to use our current authority to the fullest extent under the law to address chemical risks • including potential risks presented by nanotechnology."
Still, some experts say that the average American consumer either does not know or does not care about nanotechnology. As William Gulledge of the American Chemistry Council explained to reporters, "I happen to be a golfer. So if I'm buying and looking at golf clubs I know that in certain composites of golf club shafts there are carbon nanotubes. Does it really matter to me whether they're there? I'm just interested in the performance of the product."
