The National Research Council (NRC) recently released a report, A Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials, which outlines a research plan, priorities, and funding requirements for assessing the risks associated with using nanomaterials in consumer products.
In addition to identifying four high-priority research areas, the report recommends that federal agencies receive $120 million annually for the next 5 years in order to research the health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials. Moreover, according to a press release, the report voices concerns: 1) that the structure of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) "hinders its accountability for effective implementation of the research strategy;" and 2) that there are potentially conflicting roles of the NNI in "developing and promoting nanotechnology and its applications while also identifying and mitigating risks that arise from such applications."