Towards European Strategy for Nanotechnology

The enthusiasm of many industries towards the §manifold opportunities associated with §nanotechnology is reflected in the rapid increase in §research funding. §However, studies indicate that nanoparticles may §cause adverse effects to human beings and the §environment. Nanoparticles display completely new §properties than their larger counterparts. Their §size makes them highly mobile in both the human body §and the environment. Is the current legal and §administrative framework provided by the EU §sufficient to cover the potential adverse effects? §What are the weaknesses of the existing regulation? §The author Sandra Grossalber provides the reader §with information on nanomaterials and their §applications in the industry and gives an overview §of the EU s efforts in implementing a coherent §strategy. Based on the discussion of possible §adverse health, environmental and safety impacts she §examines the administrative and legal framework and §gives recommendations for adaptation. §Providing an easily readable compilation of §information, the author intends to contribute to the §enhancement of public interest and comprehension of §regulation activities.