Lynn L. Bergeson, “EC Denies 2014 Petition Seeking EU-Wide Ban on Nanoparticles,” Nanotechnology Now, July 12, 2016.

On June 29, 2016, the European Commission (EC) provided a notice to the European Parliament regarding its response to a 2014 petition calling for a European Union (EU)-wide ban on microplastics and nanoparticles. The petition summary states: “Nanoparticles are so small that they penetrate cells effortlessly and can damage them, causing cancer. Because the precautionary principle applies in the EU, the petitioner urges a ban on these small particles as soon as possible.”