July 9, 2006 NANOTECHNOLOGY---LITTLE THINGS WILL MEAN A LOT TO YOU Just as the invention of the cell phone and the Internet changed our daily lives, something very, very, very small is in the process of affecting our existence. You probably don’t realize it but you may be in daily contact with commercial nanoparticles. There are an estimated 700 products now on the market claiming to be made from nanomaterials or using nanotechnology. By 2015, the National Science Foundation estimates that nanotechnology will have a $1 trillion impact on the global economy and employ 2 million workers. Nanotechnology already has been credited with helping to improve airplanes, golf clubs, credit cards, cosmetics, foods, drugs, compact discs, windshields, batteries and fuel cells. What are nanoparticles and are they safe? Engineered nanomaterials are commonly defined as substances designed and produced to have structural features built on the scale of atoms and molecules of one-one hundredth the width of a human hair. The width of a human hair is approximately 100,000 nanometers across. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. While it’s hard not to be fascinated about nanotech’s potential promise, there may be unforeseen health and safety problems. Typically, nanomaterials possess special properties—chemical, optical, magnetic, biological—which make them desirable for commercial or medical applications. These same properties, however, may lead to a response in us that is not predicted. For example, even a traditionally inert compound, such as gold, may behave differently in the body when it is introduced as a nanomaterial. The International Life Sciences Institute released a report that for the first time gave scientists the elements of a framework for assessing the potential human health effects from exposure to engineered nanomaterials. The report was presented at a program held at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars by the Center’s Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Washington, DC. The assessment, developed by the Nanomaterial Toxicity Screening Working Group of the International Life Sciences Institute Research Foundation/Risk Science Institute (ILSI RF/RSI), deals with cautions to be taken in the new emerging field of nanotoxicology. The group is comprised of scientists from academic, industry, and government. Julie W. Fitzpatrick, ILSI staff scientist and project manager for the Working Group says “While there is little evidence to date that nanomaterials have toxic effects, the world’s scientists, industry, and governments are beginning to take a critical look at nanotechnology and to develop a research agenda for addressing key issues related to the impact of nanotechnology on health and the environment. This report is a necessary beginning to that process. It was compiled by a group of internationally recognized experts, and provides significant recommendations for developing robust and practical toxicity tests for nanomaterials.” The Working Group’s report presents the elements of a screening strategy-—rather than a detailed testing protocol—due to the limited research data currently available at this early stage in the development of a risk assessment process for nanomaterials. Based on an evaluation of these data, the Working Group considered potential effects of exposure to nanomaterials by inhalation, dermal (skin) and oral routes, recognizing that levels of exposure will be highly dependent upon how the materials are used. The report, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, places particular emphasis on the need to appropriately characterize or measure the properties of materials used in screening studies in order to obtain significant results. According to the report, “There is a strong likelihood that the biological activity of nanoparticles will depend on factors not routinely considered in toxicity screening studies.” “Toxicity studies are meaningless unless you know what you’re working with,” said Andrew Maynard, chief science advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Wilson Center. “The report takes critical looks at which measurements are important when examining engineered nanomaterials.” So, while nanomaterials are pouring into the marketplace, is there really an effective way of measuring these unbelievably small particles? “You cannot determine risks you cannot measure,” stated Dr. Maynard. “This report provides a set of tools so that as these technologies come onto the marketplace, scientists and decision-makers will be in a better position to put in place policies to safeguard the environment and health and to inform the public of any risks involved.” There has been research to show that relatively “large” particles in hair and cooking sprays, for example, may be efficiently inhaled and cause mischief in the body (see a Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients). What if the microscopic nanoparticles are inhaled? Will they cause a problem? The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), for example, issued an update on efforts to understand why "Magic Nano" -- a household glass and ceramic tile sealant in an aerosol can -- may have caused respiratory problems when used in confined spaces. This is the first health-related recall of an alleged nanotechnology consumer product. BfR's press release is available at http://www.bfr.bund.de/cms5w/sixcms/detail.php/7750. "Magic Nano" was first sold in supermarkets and discount stores in late March. It was recalled by the manufacturer, Kleinmann GmbH (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works) after BfR issued a product warning on March 31. Between March 27 and March 30, 97 people who reportedly used the aerosol spray claimed to suffer from health problems ranging from trouble breathing to six cases requiring hospital treatment in which water accumulated in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Dr. Andrew Maynard, science advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, is an internationally recognized expert on airborne particles. According to Maynard, aerosol sprays can produce breathable particles a few micrometers in size that can remain airborne for long periods of time and can reach the sensitive deep lung if inhaled. Once deposited, there is the possibility of chemicals or nanoparticles (if present) in the droplets causing damage. A recent report based on research from US scientists shows that nanoparticles used in certain sun cream formulations can affect mice brain cells by upsetting the chemical balance and potentially causing neurological damage. The Study, carried out by Bellina Veronesi of the US Environmental Protection Agency and published on the website Nature.com, looked at the affects of nano-sized Titania, now commonly used in sun cream formulations and often labeled titanium oxide, on cultures of microglia mice cells. Although Veronesi stressed that the research does not necessarily imply that the Titania grains are harmful to the human body and other experts have aired caution over the interpretation of the findings, it does add to a growing body of research that suggests potential risks might exists when certain compounds are reduced to nano size. David Rejeski, Director, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center says “We are about to be inundated with hundreds, if not thousands, of new products but governments are not ready. Industry and trade groups are not prepared. A research strategy for addressing possible human health or environmental risks is not in place, and the public is not informed.” In his testimony before US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Rejeski, put forward a number of practical recommendations to address these challenges. They include carefully planned and adequately resourced research into possible environmental, health and safety risks; an integrated oversight regime that is transparent, efficient and predictable; a one-stop-shop for businesses, especially small and medium-sized companies, to help with nanotechnology commercialization; and greater public engagement. “There is no ‘pause button’ for technological innovation that government can conveniently push to create time for research, testing, policy deliberation, or a few more public meetings…Without better foresight, today’s answers will be for yesterday’s nanotechnology questions.” Some of the applications of the tiny substances are from practical to fantastic. NanoBiotech News estimates there also are 130 nano-based drugs and delivery systems, and 125 medical devices or diagnostic tests in preclinical, clinical or commercial development, an increase of 68 percent since last year. Nanogen, Inc., for example, has developed NanoChip® electronic microarray platform and a line of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests. That means doctors in their offices or at patients’ bedsides can use devices that will make rapid diagnoses without having to send certain specimens to laboratories. Smith& Nephew, an international company, is selling a wound dressing, Acticoat, that the company says maintains “safe bactericidal concentrations of silver with patented nanocrystalline technology.” East Tennessee organizations have formed the Innovation Valley Nanno Alliance in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to accelerate nanotechnology discovery and commercialization. Two companies there are focusing on the development of advanced cutting tools and the creation of super materials which exhibit significantly increased strength and decreased weight. Nanotechnology also has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and food. According to Small Times magazine, nanotechnology promises food that can adjust its color, flavor, or nutrient content to accommodate each person’s taste or health needs. It offers packaging that can sense when food contents are spoiling and alert consumers. In agriculture, it portends various applications aimed at reducing pesticide and water use, improving plant and animal breeding, and creating nano-bioindustrial products. Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke wrote in 1979 about a “space elevator” that someday would transport people and cargo between the earth and planets or platforms in space. Today, a company based in Bremerton, Washington, is trying to build a space elevator. Since their founding in 2003, LiftPort, Inc. has gone through 14 generations of robots, successfully climbed over 1000 feet, and opened their first carbon nanotube factory in Millville, NJ. They envision a carbon nanotube composite ribbon—like a small railroad track—stretching some 62,000 miles from earth to space. Robotic elevator cars—“lifters”—would move up and down the ribbon, carrying payloads of satellites, solar power systems, exploration probes, factories, and eventually passengers. Stay tuned!
Nanoscientists also predict silicon chips the size of a sugar cube that can hold all of the world’s data, lightweight and fuel-efficient airplanes and cars, lightweight and flexible body armor, smaller and more conductive electricity transmission lines, and hundreds of other applications.
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