Ignorance and ubiquity spell recipe for potential disaster

On the 12th of November 2008 the Royal Commission’s study of “Novel Materials in the Environment: the case of nanotechnology” was released. The report, while long and detailed, makes shocking reading. Most importantly it clearly points out how little we know about...

Toxic cosmetics? High level British report flags risks of fullerenes

A British Royal Commission report to be released today has called for “urgent regulation” to manage the serious toxic risks posed by nanomaterials now in commercial use. The Commission drew particular attention to the toxic risks of carbon fullerenes or ‘bucky balls’,...

Questioning nanotechnology’s green hype

There is enormous public support for investment in sustainable, renewable energy alternatives to coal or nuclear power. There is also growing support for ‘green’ substitution of toxic chemicals. But all too often industry and governments are prepared to...