New report finds truck-sized holes in Australia's nanotechnology regulation

A new report has found huge gaps in the ability of Australia’s laws to deal with the health and environment risks introduced by nanotechnology. Click here for a copy of the report. These truck-sized holes in our regulation of the science of the small leave nanomaterials used in hundreds of Australian products effectively unregulated. For a sample of products whose manufacturers claim nanomaterial ingredients click here. For media coverage of the report click here.

The review of Australia’s regulatory capacity to manage new risks associated with the use of extremely tiny particles and technologies was conducted by a team of researchers at Monash University.

This report finds truck-sized holes in Australia’s regulation of the science of the small. Gaps this big mean that risky nanomaterials are effectively unregulated, leaving us vulnerable to a repeat of the asbestos tragedy.

Less than two months ago a new study confirmed that carbon nanotubes cause the same disease and health harm that asbestos does. These nanomaterials are now used internationally, unlabelled, in sports equipment, specialty car parts, reinforced plastics and electronics. It is unknown if they are used commercially in Australia.

There is also growing scientific evidence that many other nanomaterials now used in sunscreens, cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, health supplements and household appliances pose serious new toxic risks to human health and the environment.

We welcome the commitment made in March by Innovation Minister Kim Carr to ensure appropriate regulation for nanotechnology and this report shows that urgent action is needed to close the truck-sized holes in Australia’s regulation of nanotechnology.

Friends of the Earth Australia calls on Minister Carr to halt sales of nanoproducts until new laws are introduced to ensure their safety, until all nanoproducts are labelled, and the public is given the opportunity to be involved in nanotechnology decision making.

Urgent action is needed. Hundreds of nanoproducts are already on sale in Australia. In February 2006 the Therapeutic Goods Administration said that over 300 Australian sunscreens alone then contained nanoparticles. For a sample of products whose manufacturers claim nanomaterial ingredients click here .

For a copy of Monash's full report click here.