Senators Propose Bill to Improve Nano Safety - Meridian Institute

United States Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) last week introduced legislation designed to address the potential health and safety risks of products containing nanotechnology materials. The legislation, The Nanotechnology Safety Act of 2010, would establish a program within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with funding of US$25 million per year from 2011 through 2015, to assess the health and safety implications of nanotechnology in consumer products and develop best management practices for companies using nanotechnology. According to Senator Pryor, "[N]anotechnology is one of the most important and enabling technologies being developed right now, and it has hundreds of promising applications – from new cancer treatments to improved military machinery to stain-resistant pants. As these products are developed and used, we must understand any potential risks to human health, safety or the environment. My legislation will help ensure public safety and confidence in the marketplace, and it will support companies that employ nanotechnology materials."