ADDRESSING NANOMATERIALS AS AN ISSUE OF GLOBAL CONCERN

The report argues that nanotechnologies and nanomaterials present an issue of global concern due to potential toxicity, bioaccumulation, and long-range transport, alongside risks of a 'North-South nano divide' and international trade disruptions. It concludes that current international processes—including the OECD, ISO, and various multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)—lack the combined mandate, universal membership, or scope to provide a comprehensive global framework. The author recommends a new, global, precautionary, and transparent framework, suggesting that the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) could serve as an appropriate starting forum.

• Nanomaterials may present an issue of global concern because they can cause unacceptable risks to human health and the environment, and countries cannot protect themselves unilaterally due to the potential for long-range transport via wind, water, and international trade.
• There is a significant knowledge gap regarding the interaction of nanomaterials with biological and environmental systems, with only an estimated 3% to 5% of nanotechnology research funding dedicated to investigating health and environmental impacts.
• Evidence exists that certain nanomaterials are toxic; for example, some carbon nanotubes may mimic asbestos by causing granulanomas and mesothelioma, while nanoparticle titanium dioxide (TiO2) can cause mortality or physiological changes in indicator species like fish and algae.
• Some nanomaterials have the potential to bioaccumulate in the food chain and may even be transferred from pregnant mice to their offspring, potentially creating an intergenerational toxic legacy.
• The development of nanotechnology risks creating a 'North-South nano divide' where developing nations lack the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to manage risks, while developed nations reap the primary benefits.
• Divergent regulatory approaches between regions—such as the precautionary approach in Europe versus the market-friendly approach in the United States—could lead to significant international trade disruptions.
• Existing international organizations like the OECD and ISO provide valuable technical and research coordination but lack the universal membership or mandate to serve as the primary global forum for nanotechnology governance.
• Current multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) are largely insufficient for nanomaterials: the Stockholm Convention is limited to organic pollutants, the Basel Convention is hindered by a lack of knowledge on 'environmentally sound management' of nano-waste, and the Rotterdam Convention is too backward-looking.
• The Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) is identified as a potentially appropriate forum to begin addressing nanomaterials comprehensively because it is global, balances North-South concerns, and emphasizes precaution and transparency.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2009). ADDRESSING NANOMATERIALS AS AN ISSUE OF GLOBAL CONCERN. https://www.ciel.org/Publications/CIEL_NanoStudy_May09.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. ADDRESSING NANOMATERIALS AS AN ISSUE OF GLOBAL CONCERN. 2009. https://www.ciel.org/Publications/CIEL_NanoStudy_May09.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=ADDRESSING NANOMATERIALS AS AN ISSUE OF GLOBAL CONCERN |date=May 2009 |url=https://www.ciel.org/Publications/CIEL_NanoStudy_May09.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2009addressing, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{ADDRESSING NANOMATERIALS AS AN ISSUE OF GLOBAL CONCERN}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2009}, month = may, url = {https://www.ciel.org/Publications/CIEL_NanoStudy_May09.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }