The consumer products safety commission, nanotech, and the 'wait and see approach'

In this article, the author looks at the lack of progress being made by some United States governmental agencies to take measures to actively try and mitigate the potential environmental health and safety risks associated with the use of engineered nanomaterials. A report recently released by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies found that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)is lacking the budget, statutory authority, and scientific expertise to effectively regulate the use of nanomaterials in consumer products. The author calls on the government to help reverse the "wait and see approach" that is being taken on this issue by providing funding to build a knowledge base about the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials, as well as giving the CPSC the ability to require manufacturers to identify the presence of nanomaterials in their products.