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Bottom-Up Risk Regulation? How Nanotechnology Risk Knowledge Gaps Challenge Federal and State Environmental Agencies

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Abstract

Nanotechnologies have been called the “Next Industrial Revolution.” At the same time, scientists are raising concerns about the potential health and environmental risks related to the nano-sized materials used in nanotechnologies. Analyses suggest that current U.S. federal regulatory structures are not likely to adequately address these risks in a proactive manner. Given these trends, the premise of this paper is that state and local-level agencies will likely deal with many “end-of-pipe” issues as nanomaterials enter environmental media without prior toxicity testing, federal standards, or emissions controls. In this paper we (1) briefly describe potential environmental risks and benefits related to emerging nanotechnologies; (2) outline the capacities of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act to address potential nanotechnology risks, and how risk data gaps challenge these regulations; (3) outline some of the key data gaps that challenge state-level regulatory capacities to address nanotechnologies’ potential risks, using Wisconsin as a case study; and (4) discuss advantages and disadvantages of state versus federal approaches to nanotechnology risk regulation. In summary, we suggest some ways government agencies can be better prepared to address nanotechnology risk knowledge gaps and risk management.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Maria Powell’s research is supported by NSF Grant DMRO425880. The authors would also like to thank the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the WDNR team that contributed to the 2006 white paper, “Nanotechnology and Natural Resources: Preparing the Department for the Present and the Future.” Martin Griffin is the lead author of this paper, and team members are Gary Edelstein, Jeff Myers, Candy Schrank, Laurel Sukup, and Gretchen Wheat.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin, Bradley Memorial Bldg, 1225 Linden Ave, Rm 110, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Maria C. Powell

  2. Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster St., PO Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921, USA

    Martin P.A. Griffin

  3. UW-Madison Law School, 8104 Law Building, 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Stephanie Tai

Authors
  1. Maria C. Powell
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  2. Martin P.A. Griffin
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  3. Stephanie Tai
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria C. Powell.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Online Resources for Nanotechnology Environmental Health and Safety Information

Appendix 2: Local, State and Federal Efforts to Address Nanotechnology Risk Regulatory Data Gaps

  1. 1.

    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) white paper. Martin Griffin at the WDNR organized a team of WDNR staff to examine the agency’s preparedness for nanotechnology. In 2006, this team wrote a white paper outlining the specific challenges the WDNR might face related to nanotechnologies. For more information, visit the Web site, http://www.nsec.wisc.edu/NanoRisks/Nano_WhitePaper_Draft_FINAL_SECURE.pdf.

  2. 2.

    Berkeley, California, Nanotechnology Disclosure Ordinance. In 2006, Berkeley became the first city to adopt a specific law requiring the reporting of nanomaterial use, anticipated hazards, and safety plans. The ordinance requires facilities that produce or handle manufactured nanoscale materials within city limits to report what nanoscale materials they are working with and report plans for how they will handle these materials safely. It also requires them to describe any known toxic effects. For more information, visit the Web site, http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Planning_(new_site_map_walk-through)/Level_3_-_General/Manuffactured%20Nanoscale%20Materials.pdf.

  3. 3.

    Cambridge, Massachusetts, considers local nanotechnology regulations. On January 6, 2007, the Cambridge City Council asked the city’s Public Health Department to consider a Cambridge nanotechnology reporting statute on nanotechnology similar to Berkeley’s ordinance and to review other local regulatory options. As of November 2007, the Cambridge Health Department was reviewing local regulatory options, including registration and reporting requirements, site visits to nanotechnology facilities, and the development of a Cambridge Nanomaterials Committee that would permit nanotechnology companies and facilities and then review nanosafety best practice protocols development by permit holders. For more information, visit the Web sites, http://www.cns.ucsb.edu/storage/conf/presentations/Sam%20Lipson.pdf and http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/01/26/cambridge_considers_nanotech_curbs/.

  4. 4.

    Wisconsin legislator Terese Berceau’s Nanomaterial Registry Initiative. In December 2007, representative Berceau of Wisconsin sent a letter to officials at several state agencies asking that they work with her to craft policy to address potential environmental problems associated with nanotechnology. Berceau is proposing the creation of a registry to gather information about what types of nanomaterials are being produced and handled by industries in Wisconsin, what kinds of monitoring methods are being used or created to track them, toxicological information, disposal information, and more. The letter can be found at http://www.thedailypage.com/media/2008/01/09/Berceau%20nanotech%20letter%20120307.pdf.

  5. 5.

    EPA voluntary Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP). On January 8, 2008, the EPA launched the NMSP to encourage companies that manufacture, import, process, and/or use engineered nanomaterials to voluntarily submit information about these materials and their risk management practices. For more information, visit the Web site, http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/stewardship.htm.

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Powell, M.C., Griffin, M.P. & Tai, S. Bottom-Up Risk Regulation? How Nanotechnology Risk Knowledge Gaps Challenge Federal and State Environmental Agencies. Environmental Management 42, 426–443 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-008-9129-z

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