[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/EW-03-13-12-Nanoparticles.mp3|titles=EW 03-13-12 Nanoparticles]
Like it or not, we have entered the world of nanotechnology. Less than 1/3 of a micron in length, nano-particles are miniscule. On the surface of clothing, they can prevent stains and wrinkles; on bandages, they impart antimicrobial properties.
At first glance, nano-particles seem to offer us better living through technology. But the truth is, we know surprisingly little about how they might affect us.
We live among many small particles, such as soil clays and the particles found in smoke. But let’s remember that while we lived with wood smoke for millennia, we’ve only recently documented its negative impacts on our health. Particles less than 2.5 microns are deeply inhaled by humans. Nano-particles are only about 10% of that size.
Most nano-particles are eventually released to the environment in the disposal of waste products that contain them. We can expect dryer lint to contain various nano-particles from clothing. Silver nano-particles, designed as anti-microbial agents, have been found to reduce the bacteria naturally living in soils. As a result of their small size, they’re all over the place.
“If you have an iPhone, iPhones have nano-materials in them.”
Ben Colman is post-doctoral associate at Duke University…
“A large number of sunscreens take advantage of nano-materials because of their unique optical properties. Even foods can sometimes have nano-scale particles in them that are added for their, for example, color properties.
The jury is still out on nano-particles, so we must support efforts by the EPA and others to understand their effects on humans and other organisms.
Web Extra
Full interview with Ben Colman, a post-doctoral associate at Duke University…
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Colman_full_edited_web.mp3|titles=Colman_full_edited_web]Photo, taken on January 3, 2011, courtesy of OakRidgeLabNews via Flickr.