Canadian Stewardship Practices for Environmental

0,59

MB

Nanotechnology

72

stron

4343

ID

Environment Canada

2005

rok

Contents

Executive summary .i

Acknowledgements iv

Disclaimer iv

Contents v

1 Introduction 1

2 Current research in the environmental aspects of nanotechnology. 4

2.1 Research on the beneficial effects of nanotechnology on the environment 4

2.1.1 Sensors 4

2.1.2 Pollution treatment and remediation . 7

2.1.3 Green technologies. 12

2.1.4 Future applications 14

2.2 Research on the adverse effects of nanotechnology on the environment. 15

2.2.1 Engineered nanoparticles . 16

2.2.2 Natural nanoparticles 19

2.2.3 Potential mechanisms of nanoparticle toxicity 19

2.2.4 Perspective and new research avenues. 20

2.3 Conclusion. 21

3 Nanotechnology Policy and Stewardship Issues. 22

3.1 The US . 22

3.1.1 The National Nanotechnology Initiative. 23

3.1.2 NSF and the NSEC program . 24

3.1.3 NSF and the NIRT program. 26

3.1.4 NSF and the NNIN initiative. 26

3.1.5 Initiatives developed by other federal agencies and bioethical organizations . 27

3.1.6 Role played by private foundations 28

3.2 Europe . 28

3.2.1 The Sixth Framework Program (FP6) 29

3.2.2 Network and environmental organization . 30

3.2.3 Organization, committee and program involved in science policies . 30

3.2.4 Organization and committee involved in ethical and social issues 32

3.2.5 United Kingdom 33

3.2.6 Germany 33

3.2.7 France . 34

3.2.8 Switzerland 35

3.3 Asia 35

3.3.1 Asian supranational initiatives. 35

3.3.2 Japan. 36

3.3.3 China . 38

3.3.4 Korea . 40

3.4 Nanotechnology and the environment: still looking for stewards 41

4 Discussion and recommendations . 43

4.1 Greening the environment with nanotechnology 43

4.2 Preventing risks to the environment due to nanotechnology . 44

4.3 Recommendations 48

References 54

Acronyms 64