News

In response to the ever increasing number of consumer products containing silver nanoparticles (cling wrap, refrigerators, washing machines, socks, tooth paste), Friends of the Earth Australia has prepared a detailed background paper (download below)...

Warning that nanomaterials could be the “21st century asbestos”, NSW Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon has called for a moratorium on the sale of all products that contain nanomaterials until adequate regulation is in place...

Is nanotechnology a ground breaking powerful new technology? Or is it neither new nor really a singular technology? We are told that it heralds “the next industrial revolution”. Will its effects be revolutionary? Or...

The “precautionary principle” has become the proverbial giant elephant in the nano-living room. Leading advocates for the “responsible development” of nanotechnology acknowledge that nanomaterials may present serious health and environmental risks which remain poorly...

I was recently invited and attended an expert meeting on nanotechnology and ethics hosted by the UNESCO, Division of Ethics and Science and Technology in Paris (Nov 16/17th 2006). I was the only NGO...

In the face of growing concerns about the toxicity risks that nano silver poses to environmental systems and human health, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced recently that it would move to introduce the...

Last year I was invited to speak at the International Council on Nanotechnology’s conference in Tokyo. My presentation, ”The social, environmental and political impacts of nanotechnology” made three key points: 1) existing evidence of...

Cola-tasting nano-milk and fat-reduced nano-mayonnaise are just two of the nanotechnology-based food products in the pipeline from Wageningen University in Holland. The fact that these researchers were prepared to talk about their work is...

Although millions of people are applying products that contain nanomaterials to their skin daily, no-one knows yet how likely it is that these nanomaterials are absorbed from our skin to our blood stream. As the...

The new National Nanotechnology Strategy Taskforce report “Options for a National Nanotechnology Strategy”, released by Industry Minister Macfarlane on 12 September, fails to address the most significant public interests issues raised by nanotechnology, suggesting that the...