Pressing risk-related questions requires deliberate action on an
international scale. They will be answered only by matching
research efforts and funding levels to the information needed to
steer toward a safe future for nanotechnology applications. Last
year, five research grand challenges for developing safe
nanotechnology were published in the scientific journal Nature.
These included finding ways to measure the amount of
nanomaterials in the air and water; learning how to assess how
harmful nanomaterials are; developing ways to predict -- and
prevent -- harm from new nanomaterials; becoming skilled at
evaluating the potential impact of nanotechnology products from
the cradle to the grave; and establishing strategies and funding
to support the research needed to meet these challenges. Some
nations and regions are beginning to develop research agendas
that respond to these five challenges. For example, the European
Union has recently announced a US$3.6 billion nanotechnology
research program, which includes