Don't define nanomaterials

摘要

Five years ago, I was a proponent of a regulatory definition of engineered nanomaterials. I have changed my mind. With policy-makers looking for clear definitions on which to build 'nano-regula-tions', there is a growing danger of science being pushed aside. It makes sense to assume that nanomaterials could come with unanticipated risks. A rapidly growing body of research indicates that some nanoscale materials behave differently from their bigger and smaller counterparts . For instance, normally benign titanium dioxide - widely used as a whitener - becomes increasingly toxic as its particle size shrinks. Nanoscale titanium dioxide has been classified as a potential human carcinogen by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.