Safeguard on nanotechnology

Short description

Congress must fund safety research for this atom-manipulating industry.

Article body

Nanotechnology is producing exciting products, with one estimate that 15 percent of goods worldwide will involve such molecular engineering by 2014. But that won't come easily if its pioneers don't first address safety concerns.

The perception (true or not) of health and environmental problems, such as often surrounds genetically modified crops, could easily turn off consumers to the many benefits that nano-products offer. The risk of a backlash to this emerging field could delay or even wreck the introduction of revolutionary new products.

Nanotechnology is already out of the lab, with three to four new nano-products entering the marketplace each week, according to the nonprofit Project on Emerging Nanotechnology. More than 600 products boast of nanotech content, PEN says, from teddy bears to cosmetics to the Xbox 360 video-game console.

Substances reduced to nanoscale (1- to 100- billionths of a meter) show unusual properties. They can become much stronger or turn light into heat, for example. But because they expose more surface area to chemical interaction, there are concerns about unknown effects.

Some studies that have been done raise concerns. For example, nanosilver, tiny particles of silver that multiply that substance's known ability to kill bacteria, has already been put into socks and covers the surfaces of washing machines, acting as an antiseptic. One recent study showed that the nanosilver escapes into wash water and from there into the environment. Another study revealed nanosilver could kill helpful bacteria used to clean water at treatment plants.

Earlier this month a coalition of consumer, health, and environmental groups petitioned the Food and Drug Administration asking that it ban the sale of products containing nanosilver. More than 200 are already on the market.

Such concerns make a recent move by the US House's science committee all the more puzzling. A few weeks ago that panel approved billions of dollars to develop nanotechnology but failed to fund research into possible environmental, health, and safety (EHS) effects.

Early versions of the bill set aside 10 percent of the funds for EHS research. But opponents successfully removed it, despite support from environmentalists and prominent voices within the industry. It would serve the industry better if that provision were restored.

The bill does establish a watchdog within the White House science office, which would urge close attention to safety research. But that isn't enough.

All this is not to say that any current product necessarily is unsafe. The point is that not enough is known to be sure. Commercialization has outstripped safety studies.

PEN estimates that only about $13 million – less than 1 percent – of the $1.4 billion in federal nano-research funds spent in 2006 paid directly for environmental- or health-related studies. That's a little more than half of what's being spent in Europe.

The industry must also guard against false perceptions. Two years ago in Germany, more than 100 people who used a sealant called "Magic Nano" fell ill. The product was not created by nanotechnology but simply used the name.

Before fear outpaces science and society loses out on new products, Congress and the industry must speed up safety research.

source...
www.csmonitor.com

 

 

High cost of nanotechnology means manufacturers miss out

Short description

The food industry is failing to take full advantage of nanotechnology because it is too expensive, according to a recent review.

Article body

The food industry is failing to take full advantage of nanotechnology because it is too expensive, according to a recent review.

The review was conducted by Campden & Chorleywood Research Association and AZ-Tech Consulting Services. "Nanotechnology, defined as the use of material at the nano-scale, such is the case of nano-coatings, has been used by packaging scientists for many decades," said the report, A great small change. Nano-additives in food packaging. "But, the manipulation and understanding of engineered materials at the nano-scale is more recent and offers much for potential developments in food packaging."

Silver nano-particles, or silver cations bonded to a nano-composite, could provide anti-microbial properties, claimed the report. It noted that silver had been incorporated into socks and underwear that stay fresh longer, and that there was an opportunity for it to be used in food packaging. "Sharper Image and BlueMoonGoods.com in the USA, Quan Zhou Hu Zeng Nano Technology in China, and A-DO Global in South Korea, sell such products," noted the study. "These companies claim that the particles provide anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that keep food safer, fresher, healthier, and tastier."

Nano-particles of zinc oxide also showed potential. "Studies at Leeds University have indicated that these could be used in packaging as an anti-microbial as the anti-bacterial activity on E. coli was found to increase with particle concentration," stated the report.

Meanwhile, evidence showed that silicon oxide nano-particles had been added to the inside of containers to increase their barrier properties, said the paper. "For example, SIG Cormoplast's Plasma Impulse Coating Vapour Deposition system applies a silicon oxide coating of less than 100 nanometres inside PET [polyethylene terephthalate] bottles. According to the company, it raises the shelf-life for 12oz carbonated soft-drink bottles almost three-fold to more than 25 weeks."

But despite the many opportunities for nano-particles in food packaging, the report stated that cost was the main barrier to use. "With the exception of some materials such as nano-clays, the costs of manufacturing and using such nano-particles is too great compared to the advantages achieved in the final commercial pack," claimed the study. "Consequently, most packaging incorporating nano-particles is currently receiving attention at the research stage rather than in commercial applications."

Consumer perception was also an issue, claimed the report. "Several studies in the UK have indicated that consumers have concerns over the applications of new technologies, including nanotechnology. This has been likened to the reluctance of European consumers to accept GM [genetic modification] technologies."

source...
www.foodmanufacture.co.uk

 

The role of surfactants in carbon nanotube toxicity

Synthesized carbon nanotubes, especially single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), are in the form of bundles with other impurities such as catalyst particles and amorphous carbon debris. In order to be useful for many types of applications, for instance in nanoelectronic devices or biomedical applications, SWCNTs need to be purified and dispersed into individual nanotubes. One method to do this is by surfactant stabilization of the hydrophobic nanotube surface, which overcomes the van der Waals forces among the nanotubes and results in suspensions of individual SWCNTs. Researchers have now investigated the cytotoxicity of SWCNTs suspended in various surfactants. Their experimental results show that the conjugates SDS/CNT and SDBS/CNT are toxic to astrocytoma cells due solely to the toxicity of the SDS and SDBS molecules, which administered alone are toxic to the cells even at a low concentration of 0.05 mg per ml within 30 min. However, the proliferation and viability of the astrocytoma cells were not affected by SWCNTs and the conjugates SC/CNT and DNA/CNT.