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  "id": "RL34614",
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      "date": "2011-01-20",
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      "title": "Nanotechnology and Environmental, Health, and Safety: Issues for Consideration",
      "summary": "Nanotechnology\u2014a term encompassing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology\u2014is focused on understanding, controlling, and exploiting the unique properties of matter that can emerge at scales of one to 100 nanometers. A key issue before Congress regarding nanotechnology is how best to protect human health, safety, and the environment as nanoscale materials and products are researched, developed, manufactured, used, and discarded. While the rapidly emerging field of nanotechnology is believed by many to offer significant economic and societal benefits, some research results have raised concerns about the potential adverse environmental, health, and safety (EHS) implications of nanoscale materials.\nSome have described nanotechnology as a two-edged sword. On the one hand, some are concerned that nanoscale particles may enter and accumulate in vital organs, such as the lungs and brains, potentially causing harm or death to humans and animals, and that the diffusion of nanoscale particles in the environment might harm ecosystems. On the other hand, some believe that nanotechnology has the potential to deliver important EHS benefits such as reducing energy consumption, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions; remediating environmental damage; curing, managing, or preventing diseases; and offering new safety-enhancing materials that are stronger, self-repairing, and able to adapt to provide protection.\nStakeholders generally agree that concerns about potential detrimental effects of nanoscale materials and devices\u2014both real and perceived\u2014must be addressed to protect and improve human health, safety, and the environment; enable accurate and efficient risk assessment, risk management, and cost-benefit trade-offs; foster innovation and public confidence; and ensure that society can enjoy the widespread economic and societal benefits that nanotechnology may offer. Congressionally-mandated reviews of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) by the National Research Council and the President\u2019s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology have concluded that additional research is required to make a rigorous risk assessment of nanoscale materials.",
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "id": "RL34614_2010Sep29",
      "date": "2010-09-29",
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc87352/",
      "id": "RL34614_2009Feb09",
      "date": "2009-02-09",
      "retrieved": "2012-07-03T07:51:21",
      "title": "Nanotechnology and Environmental, Health, and Safety: Issues for Consideration",
      "summary": "This report identifies the potential environmental, health, and safety opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology; explains the importance of addressing nanotechnology EHS concerns; identifies and discusses nanotechnology EHS issues; and summarizes options for Congressional action, including the nanotechnology EHS-related provisions of selected legislation. The report also includes two appendices.",
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      "topics": [
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          "id": "Nanotechnology",
          "name": "Nanotechnology"
        },
        {
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          "id": "Health",
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        },
        {
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          "id": "Environmental protection",
          "name": "Environmental protection"
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      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462903/",
      "id": "RL34614_2008Aug06",
      "date": "2008-08-06",
      "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41",
      "title": "Nanotechnology and Environmental, Health, and Safety: Issues for Consideration",
      "summary": "This report identifies the potential environmental, health, and safety opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology; explains the importance of addressing nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns; identifies and discusses nanotechnology EHS issues; and summarizes options for Congressional action, including the nanotechnology EHS-related provisions of selected legislation. The report also includes two appendices.",
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          "id": "Nanotechnology",
          "name": "Nanotechnology"
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          "id": "Health",
          "name": "Health"
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          "id": "Environmental protection",
          "name": "Environmental protection"
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        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Technology policy",
          "name": "Technology policy"
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  "topics": [
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