Nanomaterials
These vanishingly small particles are turning up in thousands of new products, including cosmetics. EWG is pressing for more thorough research, because the health effects are still poorly understood.
Are intentionally engineered nanoparticles being added to our food? We don’t know for sure – and federal food regulators aren’t helping us find out the truth.
Responding to rising concern about manufacturers using unregulated nanomaterials in food, a coalition of advocacy groups in the U.S. and abroad has released a policy recommendation for companies in food-related industries to assist them in avoiding or reducing the risks from nanomaterials in food products and packaging.
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EWG submits comments urging the FDA and EPA to take a closer look at nanomaterials, broaden their definition of these substances and fully assess the risks to public health.
Read MoreEWG opposes an EPA pesticide office plan for conditional registration of a nanoscale silver chemical known as HeiQ AGS-20 and used as an antimicrobial, pesticide and textile preservative. EWG asks the agency not to approve this chemical’s use in consumer products until its maker produces all the data EPA typically requires for regulation of antimicrobials and until an EPA evaluation of these data determines that the product is safe for people and the environment.
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EWG comments to EPA’s National Center for Environmental Assessment question a case study’s failure to clearly present conclusions about the possible effects on people and the environment of nanoscale silver. EWG calls on the agency to conduct thorough health and safety evaluations of novel nanoscale materials prior to market entry.
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Washington, D.C – Environmental Working Group (EWG) has sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposing its proposal to approve a Swiss nanosilver textile coating for sale in the U.S.
Read MoreSometimes the little stuff makes a big difference.
Read MoreWhile many scientists believe that most nanomaterials will ultimately prove to be benign, ETC Group -- which has called for a moratorium on the marketing of nanoproducts until more safety studies are done -- believes in erring on the side of caution.
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EWG submits comments to FDA on the need for a public process to identify and evaluate the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetics. Recommendations to FDA include the need to identify nano-scale materials in personal care products and complete product safety evaluations in those cases.
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From The Washington Post: The United States is the world leader in nanotechnology -- the newly blossoming science of making incredibly small materials and devices -- but is not paying enough attention to the environmental, health and safety risks posed by nanoscale products, says a report released yesterday by the independent National Research Council.
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