(1)   Is the Minister aware that in its 2004 report on nanotechnology the United Kingdom’s Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering raised serious concerns about the toxicity of nanoparticles and the risks they pose to human health and the environment.

(2)   Is the Minister aware that the Royal Society recommended that given the serious risks associated with nanotoxicity and the inability to predict the toxicity of nanoparticles from the known properties of larger sized particles of the same substance, nanoparticles should be treated as new chemicals and be subject to new safety assessments prior to their inclusion in consumer products.

(3)   Is the Minister aware that nearly 2 years after the release of the Royal Society’s report, Australian regulators including the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the National Industry Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme have yet to introduce new safety testing that recognises that the toxicity of nanoparticles cannot be predicted from the known properties of larger-sized particles of the same substance.

(4)   Is the Minister aware that despite the absence of requirements for new safety testing of nanoparticles, the TGA has stated that there are close to 400 sunscreen products alone that contain nanoparticle titanium dioxide and/or nanoparticle zinc oxide that are currently commercially available in Australia.

(5)   Is the Minister aware that many other consumer products now contain nanoparticles, including cosmetics, paints, furniture varnishes and clothing.

(6)   What action will the Minister take to ensure that new regulations are introduced to protect the health of workers and consumers, and the environment, from the risks associated with nanotoxicity.

(7)   What action will the Minister take to ensure that the health of consumers is not further compromised through the release of products containing nanomaterials that have not been subject to adequate, if any, safety testing.

(1)   I am aware of the United Kingdom’s Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering report and that it does raise issues around the potential toxicology of free nanoparticles and recommends the importance of research keeping pace with predicted developments.

(2)   I am aware of the recommendations relating to regulatory issues and consumer products.

(3)   The TGA and NICNAS fall within the responsibilities of my colleague the Hon Tony Abbott, MP, the Minister for Health and Ageing. I understand that these agencies are actively monitoring the potential impacts of nanotechnology, including potential health and safety risks.

(4)   I understand that the TGA has examined the scientific literature and issued advice on their website about the safety of sunscreens and the materials used in them such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

(5)   Yes.

(6)   I understand that relevant regulatory agencies are actively monitoring the research and developments in nanotechnology and will make assessments based on scientific evidence as to whether any additional actions are needed to deal with potential risks from nanoparticles.

(7)   The responsibility for the safety of products crosses many portfolios at both the Federal and State levels. I have also established a Taskforce within my Department to examine options for the development of a coordinated national nanotechnology strategy including the health, safety and environmental impacts of nanotechnology. The Taskforce is due to report to me by 30 June 2006.