NRDC, Partners Succeed in Push to Revoke EPA Approval of Nanosilver Products

WASHINGTON –– A federal appeals court in California today revoked the Environmental Protection Agency’s conditional approval of a nanosilver product used in a wide range of consumer products – including a variety of household, office, plastic and textile products, such as clothing, cell phones, computers, and office supplies – as an antimicrobial agent. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concluded that the EPA had failed to show that its conditional approval of the product “Nanosilva” was in the public’s interest.

Following is a statement by Jennifer Sass, senior scientist with the health program of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“This is an important victory for public health.  Nanosilver is known to be highly toxic to aquatic life, and may be hazardous to people.  EPA rushed to judgment by approving it, leaving consumers to be guinea pigs.  Now the agency must take a closer look at its potential to cause harm.”

A copy of the court’s opinion is here.