Post by enigma on Feb 4, 2007 1:07:29 GMT -5
From ScienceDaily:
Nanotech is the most promising and exciting technology to come around in a long time. However, it is prudent to examine possible rrisks that may arise. For example, some carbon nanotubes have been shown to be nearly completely resistant to breaking down in nature or through chemical processes (essentially like diamond). These indestructible tubes can accumulate and cause damage in living tissues.
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. doctoral student is investigating nanotechnology safety by testing how nanoparticles might affect living cells, organisms and the environment.
"We don't want to look back in 50 years if something bad has happened and say, 'Why didn't we ask these questions?'" said University of Florida chemical engineering student Maria Palazuelos.
Palazuelos is a member of the university's Nanotoxicology Group, which includes of about 10 faculty members and six students from University of Florida's engineering, medical and veterinary colleges. With funding from organizations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Air Force, the researchers attempt to answer such questions as how nanoparticles affect fish and whether nanoparticles can penetrate skin.
There are more than 400 companies worldwide that use nanoparticles and other forms of nanotechnology, prompting governments to consider regulations to guard against potentially harmful, but currently unknown, effects.
"Before we start producing these materials in large quantities to go into everyday products, we should know what effect they have on our health and the environment," said Kevin Powers, associate director of University of Florida's National Science Foundation Particle Engineering Research Center.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
"We don't want to look back in 50 years if something bad has happened and say, 'Why didn't we ask these questions?'" said University of Florida chemical engineering student Maria Palazuelos.
Palazuelos is a member of the university's Nanotoxicology Group, which includes of about 10 faculty members and six students from University of Florida's engineering, medical and veterinary colleges. With funding from organizations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Air Force, the researchers attempt to answer such questions as how nanoparticles affect fish and whether nanoparticles can penetrate skin.
There are more than 400 companies worldwide that use nanoparticles and other forms of nanotechnology, prompting governments to consider regulations to guard against potentially harmful, but currently unknown, effects.
"Before we start producing these materials in large quantities to go into everyday products, we should know what effect they have on our health and the environment," said Kevin Powers, associate director of University of Florida's National Science Foundation Particle Engineering Research Center.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
Nanotech is the most promising and exciting technology to come around in a long time. However, it is prudent to examine possible rrisks that may arise. For example, some carbon nanotubes have been shown to be nearly completely resistant to breaking down in nature or through chemical processes (essentially like diamond). These indestructible tubes can accumulate and cause damage in living tissues.