'As the [American] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health develops guidelines for working with nanomaterials, experts say the nanotechnology sector is ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding job-related risks, and is doing far more early research than other industries. One expert says the asbestos industry, which doled out staggering sums of money for liability lawsuits, paid the price for a failure to fully understand the product's dangers before putting it on the market.'
The comparison between nanotechnology and asbestos workers is particularly apt. Risks associated with new materials and technologies need to be uncovered and quantified in an honest and public fashion if workplace injury, employer liability and bad publicity are to be avoided.
Originally by Law.com - Tech Law Practice Center, 2:37 PM