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Norwegian Authorities assess environmental fate and ecotoxicology of nanoparticles
Published: Tuesday 1 January 2008
The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) and Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research (BioForsk) have published a joint report on ‘Environmental fate and ecotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles’.
The report aims to provide an overview of the scientific knowledge on potential negative effects that engineered nanoparticles may have on the environment, by reviewing scientific results on the potential negative impact of engineered nanoparticles on the environment.
According to the preface, the report ‘is intended as a background document for the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (Statens forurensningstilsyn) in their work with regulatory issues related to the release of engineered nanoparticles into the environment.’
The report points out ‘that a number of engineered nanoparticles are indeed suspicious in an environmental and ecotoxicological context. Yet, no immediate action seems necessary to prevent pollution with these particles in Norway since there are no current applications that are expected to result in significant losses to the environment.’ It recommends that ‘if the Norwegian society wishes to survey production, import and use of suspicious nanomaterials, this may probably be best achieved through a volunteer reporting system, similar to those that have been initiated in e.g. the UK and the US. Such volunteer reporting programs would permit monitoring of quantities produced or used at a national level, and may serve as a basis for decisions on adapted recycling or waste treatment strategies.’
Follow these links to find out more about the report, or to download the full report.