Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

The perils of pre-emptive regulation

In its rush to introduce new regulations about the handling of nanomaterials, the city of Berkeley in California has made mistakes that should not be repeated elsewhere.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Berkeley's hazardous-material reporting requirements to encompass nanoparticles.

  2. Sadrieh, N. & Espandiari, P. Nanotechnology Law & Business 3, 339–349 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Maynard, A. D. et al. Nature 444, 267–269 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Al-Hadithy, N. A. CEAC Action Calendar dated 5 December 2006; An acceptable minimum level of regulation for nanofacilities.

  5. icon.rice.edu/research.cfm.

  6. Oberdörster, G., Oberdörster, E. & Oberdörster, J. Environ. Health Perspect. 13, 823–840 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Maynard, A. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 51, 1–12 (2007).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. NIOSH: Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology; www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/safenano

  9. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Top 20 Hazardous Substances; www.atsdr.cdc.gov/cxcx3.html.

  10. Goldman, L. & Coussen, C. (eds) Implications of Nanotechnology for Environmental Health Research (National Academies Press, Washington DC, 2005).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Donaldson, K. et al. Particle and Fibre Toxicology 2, 1–14 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Colvin, V. et al. Nature Biotechnol. 21, 1166–1170 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kuempel, E. et al. Inhalation Toxicology 18, 717–724 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Monica, J., Heintz, M. & Lewis, P. The perils of pre-emptive regulation. Nature Nanotech 2, 68–70 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2007.15

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2007.15

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing