Cambridge officials look at nanomaterials

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 29 (UPI) -- Cambridge, Mass., city officials are urging adoption of a program designed to monitor safety hazards involved in manufacturing and storing nanomaterials.

A report by the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Cambridge Nanomaterials Advisory Committee recommends the city take several steps to gain a better understanding of the nature and extent of nanotechnology-related activities under way within the municipality.

The report, issued Monday, doesn't recommend the city enact a new ordinances regulating nanotechnology but it does recommend the city, among other things:

-- Establish an inventory of engineered nanoscale materials that are manufactured, handled, processed or stored in the city.

-- Offer technical assistance, in collaboration with academic and nanotech sector partners, to help firms and institutions evaluate their existing health and safety plans for limiting risk to workers involved in nanomaterials research and manufacturing.

-- Track the evolving status of regulations and best practices concerning engineered nanoscale materials.

-- Inform the city council every two years on the changing regulatory and safety landscape of the nanotechnology sector.

The report is available at http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/publications/July_17_08_Nano_Recommendations.pdf.