Nanotechnology is being used in consumer goods...
without our knowledge or consent:
Nanotechnology
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A scientific revolution that you've probably never heard of is quietly going on. It's nanotechnology and it could change the world as dramatically as electricity or the Internet. It holds incredible promise, such as microscopic particles designed to seek out and destroy cancer cells, but a Consumer Reports investigation reveals little is being done to assess its risks to our environment and our health.
Nano particles are extremely tiny particles of ordinary substances such as carbon, silver, or aluminum. They can be 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Particles that small take on new properties. Carbon can become 100 times stronger than steel. Aluminum can turn highly explosive. And gold can melt at room temperature.
That means there's potential for incredible new products. But animal and lab studies have raised health concerns. Nano particles can enter the body's vital organs, including the brain, much more easily than larger particles.
You can't necessarily tell if nano particles are in the products that you use. A research lab equipped with a powerful scanning electron microscope found nano particles in eight sunscreens Consumer Reports had analyzed. But only one indicated nano ingredients on the label. And effectiveness tests on people's backs found sunscreens with nano particles weren't any better at blocking the sun's harmful rays.
Nanotechnology is exploding. Companies and government last year spent more than $12 billion on research and development, but there needs to be more assessment of risks and oversight of the safety. Until we know more, Consumer Reports believes labeling should be required on any products which can expose people directly to nano particles.
Nanotechnology
MORE LOCAL LINKS FROM KHQ
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Most Popular
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Mass Holocaust grave unearthed in Ukraine
Iraq dominates third GOP debate
Unrepentant `Dr. Death' still favors right to die
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Watch your step: E. coli can lurk at the beach
Most viewed on MSNBC.com
Somali Troops Kill Would-Be Bomber
Bombing Shows Schism Among Iraq's Sunnis
U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq at 3,494
Hamas Attack Wounds 4 Israeli Soldiers
Iran: Nuclear Program Can't Be Stopped
Most viewed on MSNBC.com
Mass Holocaust grave unearthed in Ukraine
Watch your step: E. coli can lurk at the beach
Unrepentant `Dr. Death' still favors right to die
'Truth Is, I'm the Same Guy I Always Was'
IBM Services, Software Support DTE Energy's Enterprise Business System
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Your e-mail address and/or phone number will not be published. Leave your name or hometown blank if you do not want it published.
KHQ-TV
A scientific revolution that you've probably never heard of is quietly going on. It's nanotechnology and it could change the world as dramatically as electricity or the Internet. It holds incredible promise, such as microscopic particles designed to seek out and destroy cancer cells, but a Consumer Reports investigation reveals little is being done to assess its risks to our environment and our health.
Nano particles are extremely tiny particles of ordinary substances such as carbon, silver, or aluminum. They can be 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Particles that small take on new properties. Carbon can become 100 times stronger than steel. Aluminum can turn highly explosive. And gold can melt at room temperature.
That means there's potential for incredible new products. But animal and lab studies have raised health concerns. Nano particles can enter the body's vital organs, including the brain, much more easily than larger particles.
You can't necessarily tell if nano particles are in the products that you use. A research lab equipped with a powerful scanning electron microscope found nano particles in eight sunscreens Consumer Reports had analyzed. But only one indicated nano ingredients on the label. And effectiveness tests on people's backs found sunscreens with nano particles weren't any better at blocking the sun's harmful rays.
Nanotechnology is exploding. Companies and government last year spent more than $12 billion on research and development, but there needs to be more assessment of risks and oversight of the safety. Until we know more, Consumer Reports believes labeling should be required on any products which can expose people directly to nano particles.
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ECC I know you already realize this but, this is NOT a good thing. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by IAMAHUSKER
ECC I know you already realize this but, this is NOT a good thing.
No sir, it's not...0 -
ECC quote:Aluminum can turn highly explosive.
...I could eat a good meal, then go KA-BOOM!?..[:0][:0][:D]
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Maybe the Amish are right. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by LaidbackDan
Maybe the Amish are right.
...now there's a thought!0 -
Eric, I don't remember exactly where I saw it, Popular Science I think, where one guy had actually used building blocks in nano size to build the word "hair" on an actual hair. It was being touted as a technology useful to make gears and robotic parts for medical use and the like. I'll see if i can find that one for you. 0 -
years ago IBM researchers spelled the word "IBM" with single atoms and took a picture of it with a scanning/tunneling electron microscope. so, that's an old trick already. 0 -
You may be surprised at what all they are using nanotechnology on.
The benefits could be staggering, but then so are the dangers.0 -
I'm just waiting for the nanobots that scrub out the plaque from arteries. Millions of little "scrubbing bubbles", all working for me! Kinda like a bunch of small automatic pool cleaners.[:p] 0
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