Nanomaterials and the Precautionary Principle

Nanomaterials and the Precautionary Principle

Nanomaterials and the Precautionary Principle doi:10.1289/ehp.1103687 Kessler (2011) provided a valuable update on the current state of research and regulatory pol­ icy concerning nano materials. However, the article could give the mis leading impression that the precautionary principle constitutes a straightforward guideline for improving public policy in this area. Instead, the precautionary ...

Standing and the Precautionary Principle

Implementing the precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle can be found in international treaties that protect human health and the environment from a variety of pollutants and perturbations. One of the earliest forms of the precautionary principle was used in the 1980s in Europe to protect the North Sea. In 1992, the Rio Declaration specifically included the precautionary principle in calling on nations to protect the envir...

Expanding the precautionary principle.

Philosophy and the Precautionary Principle

Scholars in philosophy, law, economics, and other fields have widely debated how science, environmental precaution, and economic interests should be balanced in urgent contemporary problems such as climate change. One controversial focus of these discussions is the precautionary principle, according to which scientific uncertainty should not be a reason for delay in the face of serious threats ...