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Nano danger, danger!

Worries over nanotoxicity are not going away.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

By David Rotman

The same day our magazine feature article "Tiny Toxins" appeared this week, Friends of the Earth released a report detailing the use of nanomaterials in cosmetics and sunscreens. The recommendation of the environmental group:

"a moratorium on further commercial release of personal care products that contain engineered nanomaterials, and the withdrawal of such products currently on the market until adequate, publicly available, independent peer-reviewed safety studies have been completed. Friends of the Earth further recommends that adequate regulations be put in place to protect the general public, workers manufacturing these products, and the environment."

As our feature explains, FoE just might have a point. Just like any other new type of materials used in consumer products, nanoparticles in cosmetics should be adequately tested. And they haven't been, despite calls for years from a number of those in the nanotech research community.

The problem, of course, is that the ultra-fine particles used in cosmetics and sunscreens are not really nanotechnology, despite what the product marketing might say. From a technology perspective they have little to do with the nanoelectronics, nano biosensors, and nano-based solar cells that are the real promise of nanotech. But by latching onto "nano" as a way to market new formulations of cosmetics and sunscreens, manufacturers have presented these ultra-fine particles as the face of nanotech. Now the rest of the nanotech community needs to worry about the repercussions.

Comments

	seed for a story? Guest (Paul Angiolillo) on 05/18/2006 at 12:00 AM
Posts: 1	Perhaps TR.com should do a story about the confusion and misconceptions that seem to be occurring as the term "nano" becomes a catchword, instead of a technical one. Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Worries Guest (Julio Rezende) on 05/19/2006 at 12:00 AM
Posts: 1	I felt verry worried with the nanotech perspective. This enphatizes the importance of more research to know the consequences. Rate this comment: (Reply)

	nano poison Guest (bob CET) on 05/19/2006 at 12:00 AM
Posts: 1	medically,there are no poisons,only the amount!!where are the nano limits??? Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Re: nano poison Ramachandran on 12/18/2007 at 4:06 AM
Posts: 2	The light rays are poison yes. But Snake poison is converted in to medicines. Why not Sun Rays? Rate this comment: (Reply)

	nano poison Guest (bob CET) on 05/21/2006 at 12:00 AM
Posts: 1	all materiel change with time,natural radiation,etc.these changes cannot be good for any of us or the matter of nano products!! Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Why ..... Guest (Mojo) on 05/21/2006 at 12:00 AM
Posts: 1	Why are sub 100 nm particles in sunscreen NOT nano to you but similar particles in plastic that make a solar cell some how "real nanotechnology?" Doe sthe coolness of the product somehow magicly transform the science into nanotech? Rate this comment: (Reply)

	nano toxins hiding in products Guest (john) on 05/23/2006 at 12:00 AM
Posts: 1	how many products now have nanomaterials/particles in them and do these products indicate these in some way (what way?) on the labels? Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Re: nano toxins hiding in products onleesbaar on 02/27/2008 at 5:03 AM
Posts: 2	I have found that asking doesnt help. The people who sell products just dont know what substance is nano. They just say nano is nano, it's small....and safe. Nevertheless the packaging has got all kind of vague warnings... A inventory on products is on: http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/ Rate this comment: (Reply)

European Nanotechnology News !!!
Guest (Nano News) on 05/24/2006 at 12:00 AM

Posts:
1
For real Nano-News go to http://nano-news.eu !!!
Rate this comment:

(Reply)
http://www.shandao-cn.net
Guest (???) on 07/20/2006 at 12:00 AM

Posts:
1
????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????????? ???
Rate this comment:

(Reply)

	Friends of the Earth Pat495 on 05/09/2008 at 8:14 PM
Posts: 4	Where were the friends of the earth when it was brought to the public eye about Mercury being in cosmetics? Why would someone use Nano as a marketing ploy? Aren't almost all singular molecules in the Nano range? Rate this comment: (Reply)