Environmental risks of nanotechnology : National Nanotechnology Initiative Funding , 2000 - 2004

This article analyzes the research priorities discussed by various interest groups concerned with the environmental risks of nanotechnology, and evaluates the distribution of federal funding of nanotech research and development. The authors found that to date, environmental research and development funding is limited, and focuses more on the positive environmental applications of nanotechnology then on developing bask knowledge about the possible negative effects of nanotechnology on the environment. However, in 2004, there was a significant increase in funding for research on the environmental effects of nanotechnology.