Cambridge's plan for nanomaterials

IN HIS column ("Big questions on tiny, tiny technology," Op-ed, Aug. 9), David Rejeski takes some liberties in summarizing the recommendations regarding nanomaterials recently accepted by the Cambridge City Council. Cambridge has grown and prospered by taking advantage of new technological opportunities, and these recommendations focused on allowing the continued growth of research and industrial use of nanomaterials while protecting public health.

The recommendations include an inventory of facilities handling these materials, a voluntary technical assistance program using resources in place in Cambridge, public education, and regular reports to the City Council. The recommendations do not include a plan to establish an inventory of materials as Rejeski writes.

Rather, it recommends using existing emergency planning and data collection efforts led by the Cambridge Fire Department and the Local Emergency Planning Committee, in cooperation with the Cambridge Public Health Department, to collect basic information from facilities to assess potential risks, exposures, and exposure mitigation strategies.

These agencies are well respected throughout the community for their professionalism and focus on public health and safety.

The recommendations build on existing cooperation between government, industry, institutions, and the public, and provide a starting point for a better understanding of nanomaterials in Cambridge.

TERRENCE F. SMITH
Cambridge
The writer is director of government affairs of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Cambridge Nanomaterials Advisory Committee.