I am pleased to announce that John Monica will be speaking on "The Possible Adverse Consequences of Pre-emptive Nanotechnology Regulation" at the two-day conference and workshop, Regulations for Nanotechnology in Consumer Products, February 8-9, 2007, Washington Marriott, Washington, D.C. This conference is aimed at those interested in doing more than simply scratching the surface of … Continue Reading
Ed. note: every Friday (more or less) Nanotechnology Law Report’s David Fischer will look back at the week’s news and analysis of nano related issues. If you have something you’d like to bring to our attention, email him. There was no Week In Review last week (let’s blame the three day weekend, shall we?), so this week … Continue Reading
Robert Blaunstein recently published an article in Insurance Networking News: “Unfamiliar Exposure: Nanotechnology deals in tiny particles, but its potential risk to insurers is sizable and nearly impossible to calculate.” The article begins by noting the "enabling" role the insurance industry has often taken with new technologies. Dr. Blaunstein argues this "enabling" function is fulfilled … Continue Reading
For us non-scientists, a useful rule of thumb in inhalation toxicology is the finer the substance, the greater the possibility for adverse health effects — and vice versa. Preliminary studies indicate this may hold true for nanoparticles which have been shown to have fewer potential adverse health effects when they occur in cluster form (aggregates and/or agglomerates). … Continue Reading
The American Public Health Association (APHA) recently held its 134th annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, at which it adopted policies addressing 22 important public health issues, including nanotechnology. APHA’s key policy recommendations are: Increase federal funding for nano-related EHS research to $100 million. Encourage the voluntary participation by nanomanufacturers in the (i) collection of nano-related safety … Continue Reading
On January 14, 2007, the New York Times published Barnaby Feder’s article regarding Berkeley California’s new nano hazardous material handling regulation. The article succinctly summarizes the regulation: "[T]he new regulation . . . requires businesses to annually identify . . . any materials they use or produce with at least one dimension of 100 nanometers … Continue Reading
Nanotechnology Law Report’s own John Monica will be speaking on nanotechnology risks at HarrisMartin’s New Technology & Insurance Risk Conference, at the New York Marriott Financial Center Hotel, New York, NY, March, 1-2 2007. The conference covers many emerging risks facing the insurance industry, including nanotechnology risks. John will be speaking on the second day of … Continue Reading
MEH: Having read the same article, I agree with John that a national fund, similar to that of the Superfund that is limping along under CERCLA, is premature, and perhaps even unnecessary. However, the idea of offering nanotechnology insurance, I think, has merit from an environmental protection standpoint. Environmental contamination insurance is now available when … Continue Reading
In a recent article published by the Washington Legal Foundation, the attorney-author asks: “Is It Time to Consider a Nanotechnology Liability Protection Plan?” In answer to this question, the author advocates the establishment of a Nanotechnology Insurance Fund (“NIF”) with two principle purposes: “1) provide an exclusive source of compensation for people such as … Continue Reading
Orthopedic implant failure often results from poor bone adhesion and/or infection. Purdue University recently conducted an in vitro study to determine whether nanotechnology might be used to reduce both of these risks. Purdue scientists compared the adhesive properties of nanoscale versus microscale samples of ZnO and TiO2 to staph cells and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). ZnO … Continue Reading
The American Industrial Hygiene Assocation has identified nanotechnology safety as among its members’ top concerns for 2007, according to this report in Occupational Hazards. AIHA identified nanotechnology as an OSHA concern and characterized the concern this way: Nanotechnology – The increased use of nanotechnology for consumer products raises concerns that a clearer understanding is needed to … Continue Reading
Ed. note: every Friday (more or less) Nanotechnology Law Report’s David Fischer will look back at the week’s news and analysis of nano related issues. If you have something you’d like to bring to our attention, email him. John Monica comments on David Berube’s article “Regulating Nanoscience: A Proposal and Response to Clarence J. Davies," in Nanotechnology … Continue Reading
University of South Carolina professor David Berube recently published “Regulating Nanoscience: A Proposal and Response to Clarence J. Davies," in Nanotechnology Law & Business, Vol. 3, Issue 4 (Dec. 2006). Professor Berube responds to Mr. Davies’ 2006 Woodrow Wilson article calling for a comprehensive reexamination of current regulatory regimes relevant to nanotechnology. Professor Berube, argues … Continue Reading
Ed. note: every Friday (more or less) Nanotechnology Law Report’s David Fischer will look back at the week’s news and analysis of nano related issues. If you have something you’d like to bring to our attention, email him. Occupational Hazards reports on the expected NIOSH nanotech guidelines. Nanotechnology Law Report‘s Patrick Lewis, via Slashdot, gets in the … Continue Reading
North Carolina State University professor Larry Silverburg recently provided an engineer’s perspective on how Santa Claus can deliver so many presents in one night. Among Santa’s most crucial technological innovations is a nano toy-maker: His reindeer – genetically bred to fly, balance on rooftops and see well in the dark – don’t actually pull a … Continue Reading
According to a December 21, 2006 press release, both outgoing House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and incoming Chairman Bart Gordon (D-NT) urged the Bush administration "to establish a research agenda with clear priorities to ensure a greater understanding of the potential environmental, health, and safety risks associated with nanotechnology." I suspect that in 2007, … Continue Reading
Ed. note: every Friday (more or less) Nanotechnology Law Report’s David Fischer will look back at the week’s news and analysis of nano related issues. If you have something you’d like to bring to our attention, email him. A report from Europe reveals that the leading nanotechnology users in Europe are cosmetic companies. The Nano Science and … Continue Reading
The Nano Science and Technology Institute recently published an article, "Where Science and Law Meet," concerning the implications nanotechnology is having on intellectual property law. As one would expect, patents are being filed for nanotechnology products in increasing numbers. Given the complexities of both patent law and nanotechnology, there are unique implications when the two meet. The … Continue Reading
A gecko’s amazing ability to cling to walls and ceilings is an ability that scientists have studied for decades. Recent research suggests that the gecko’s abilities owe to 200 nm adhesive hairs on the gecko’s feet. While the traditional definition of nanotechnology requires that the material be smaller than 100 nm, we are willing to … Continue Reading
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have discovered that multi walled carbon nanotubes will remain suspended in water for a month or longer when combined with other organic materials. The January issue of the journal Environmental Science & Technology , will fully report the findings by Assistant Professor Jaehong Kim, Professor Joseph Hughes, … Continue Reading
By, Jaime T. Landrum: As the impact of nanotechnology grows, more companies are considering the utilization of nanotech products and processes in the workplace. Questions regarding nanotechnology’s effect on the American worker, however, come side-by-side with these business decisions. As reported at Occupational Hazards, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is expected … Continue Reading
Ed. note: every Friday (more or less) Nanotechnology Law Report’s David Fischer will look back at the week’s news and analysis of nano related issues. If you have something you’d like to bring to our attention, email him. Berkeley, California is on the verge of becoming the first city to pass regulations regarding nanotechnology; the ordinance would "amend its hazardous … Continue Reading
