Nanomaterials: Emerging Health and Environmental Issues

Nanomaterials have been hailed as the next technological revolution, akin to solid-state electronics in the last century. The small size (<1/500th the width of a human hair) and design of these particles confer unique chemical, electrical/magnetic, environmental, and toxicological properties not apparent in chemical preparations composed of larger particles. Nanomaterials are currently being used or developed for various applications in technology, medicine, and consumer products with great potential for both human exposure and environmental release. Unfortunately, technological development and applications have greatly out-paced research supporting assessments of the environmental and health risks of nanomaterials. Like genetically modified organisms, the future of nanotechnology will depend on public acceptance of the risks versus benefits. Already, non-governmental organizations have called for a moratorium on further development and application of nanomaterials until health and environmental risks are better understood. Even beyond public acceptance, the flurry of recent litigation related to past “miracle materials” such as asbestos advises caution in producing novel products.

This seminar gives an introduction to current applications of nanomaterials with potential for human and environmental exposures, and the current state of the knowledge regarding associated risks and impacts. This emerging topic should be of great interest to environmental, product liability, medical device, technology development, and corporate attorneys.

1. Introduction
   1. Background and description of nanomaterials
   2. Proposed and current applications in technology, medicine, consumer products
   3. Controversies
      1. New technological revolution
      2. New GMOs/asbestos
   4. Little research to support assessment of health and environmental effects plays into public fears
2. Hazard Identification
   1. Classification of materials as unique chemicals
   2. Properties related to exposure/toxicity potential
      1. Size
      2. Surface properties, coatings
      3. Chemical content
3. Potential for Exposure--various receptors from manufacture to disposal
   1. Manufacture of nanomaterials—workers, environment (industrial releases)
   2. Incorporation into product---workers
   3. Product use—consumer/general public
   4. Disposal—environment—ecological and human receptors
4. Ecological risk assessment
   1. Air
   2. Water
   3. Soil
5. Human health risk assessment
   1. Inhalation
   2. Dermal
   3. Injection/systemic
6. Potential implications of legal interest-
   1. Public perception, e.g., GMOs
   2. Hindsight, e.g., toxic tort--asbestos
   3. Regulation, e.g., environmental, product safety—
      1. In its infancy
      2. Current applications produced under existing regulations for macroscale materials
      3. Potential for new/special regulatory requirements
   4. Insurance