Meridian Institute has developed a Paper to raise awareness about the implications of nanotechnology for poor people, both the potential opportunities and risks.

Ethics and nanotechnology: A basis for action is the fourth position statement issued by Commission de l'éthique de la science et de la technologie in Quebec, Canada. It consists of three chapters devoted to the scientific, legal and ethical implications of nanotechnology. In its ethical assessment of nanotechnology, the Commission is upholding the protection of health and the environment, as well as respect for many values such as dignity, liberty, the integrity of the person, respect for the more...

The Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Technology has released this document identifying environmental, health, and safety (EHS) research and information needs related to understanding and management of potential risks of engineered nanoscale materials.

This Committee addresses issues related to standards and guidance materials for nanotechnology & nanomaterials, as well as the coordination of existing ASTM standardization related to nanotechnology needs. ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world

The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) has published this Review of Safety Practices in the Nanotechnology Industry. Prepared by the University of California, Santa Barbara, October 2006. (PDF, 31 pages)

The American Industrial Hygiene Association provides this facet of its website on nanotechnology.

This report proposes a comprehensive Framework for systematically exploring possible risks.

This document provides an overview of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and nanotechnology, discusses the current state of the art, identifies current knowledge gaps that may prevent the proper application of LCA in this field and makes recommendations on the application of LCA for assessing the potential environmental impacts of nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and nanoproducts. For the purposes of this report, “nanoproducts” are defined as products containing nanomaterials.

The paper explores the question of whether developing nations will fully share in the anticipated benefits of nanotechnology—predicted to be the driving force for the next industrial revolution.

Shows a mapping of potential nanotechnology applications in the forest products industry.