A new governance framework for nanotechnology - Nanowerk News

(Nanowerk News) Many involved stakeholders share the opinion that the benefits promised by nanotechnologies will fully materialise only if their development takes place responsibly.

Behind the Label: nanosilver - The Ecologist, UK

The powerful antibacterial nanosilver can now be found in everything from air fresheners and food packaging to babies' bottles and bandages. But has anyone looked at the risks?

Health Risk Debate:
Is Nanotechnology Dangerous? - Speigel Online International, Germany
A background paper by Germany's Federal Environment Agency earlier this week triggered fearful headlines in some of the country's biggest newspapers. But the agency is distancing itself from the coverage, saying it had presented nothing new in the report -- and that it also sees opportunities in nano.

Germany warns over dangers of nanotechnology - DW-WORLD.DE, Germany
German authorities have warned of the risks posed by nanotechnology when used in food, clothing, cosmetics and other products. The promising potential of the technology comes with a risk for health and environment.

New insights into health and environmental effects of carbon nanoparticles - SafeNano, UK
A new study raises the possibility that flies and other insects that encounter nanomaterial 'hot spots,' or spills, near manufacturing facilities in the future could pick up and transport nanoparticles on their bodies, transferring the particles to other flies or habitats in the environment. The study on carbon nanoparticles is scheduled for the Aug. 15 issue of ACS' Environmental Science & Technology ('Differential Toxicity of Carbon Nanomaterials in Drosophila: Larval Dietary Uptake Is Benign, but Adult Exposure Causes Locomotor Impairment and Mortality').

Nano&me initiative for public engagement launches - SafeNano, UK
Nanoandme.org is a new website created by the Responsible Nano Forum to provide information about nanotechnologies and be the hub of debate for everyone to discuss the important issues which arise from their use.

Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide - SafeNano, UK
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document, Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and in Topical Sunscreen (External Review Draft). The deadline for comments is September 14, 2009.
Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select Environmental Protection Agency and the keyword EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0495 (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.

Interdisciplinary Review considers adverse health impacts of fibrous nanomaterials - SafeNano, UK
Recent evidence suggests a similarity between CNFs/CNTs and asbestos, including a role for generation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity.
Given the rapid increase in production and use of nanomaterials "it is imperative to gain a thorough understanding of their biologic activity to avoid the human health catastrophe that has resulted from widespread use of asbestos fibers".
The full review is available online in a free-to-access form. Click here for access.

EPA clarifies Significant New Use Rules for carbon nanotubes - NanoWerk, USA
On June 24, 2009, the U.S. EPA issued final Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 23 new chemicals, including two carbon nanotubes (nanoscale materials) (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2009/June/Day-24/t14780.pdf). The SNURs will allow the commercialization of these specific carbon nanotubes under limited conditions to protect against unreasonable risks to human health and the environment.

Nanotech particles affect brain development in mice - EurekAlert
Maternal exposure to nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) affects the expression of genes related to the central nervous system in developing mice. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology found that mice whose mothers were injected with the nanoparticles while pregnant showed alteration in gene expression related to neurological dysfunction.