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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nanotechnology and a Precautionary Approach by Local Government

Debbie Raphael, San Francisco Department of the Environment, 1 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, 415-355-3700, Debbie.Raphael@sfgov.org

Nanomaterials have show to disrupt the function of cells and to be highly reactive when released into the environment. The absence of federal and state laws that specifically regulate nanotechnologies leave the local regulators challenged to protects human health and the environment against unknown implications of the new technology. The City of San Francisco is addressing the lack of nanotechnology specific regulation by using the City Precautionary Principle regulatory framework to take action to protect public health.

Ms. Raphael will provide an overview of the City Precautionary Principle Ordinance and outline the process of public dialogue and participation that lead to a legislative proposal on nanotechnologies.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Public Health and Nanotechnology Policy Development

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA