The federal government is deciding whether to regulate products of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the process of manufacturing particles to a very small size. They can be as small as one-millionth the width of a head of a pin. Rebecca Williams reports some people worry these tiny particles could harm people and wildlife:
Transcript
The federal government is deciding whether to regulate products of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the process of manufacturing particles to a very small size. They can be as small as one-millionth the width of a head of a pin. Rebecca Williams reports some people worry these tiny particles could harm people and wildlife:
Nano particles are already in products on the market… in things like sunscreens, food containers, and clothing.
Andrew Maynard is the chief science advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. He says there are about 350 products made with nanotechnology. Maynard says nano particles can make products better, but there might also be risks to people and the environment that researchers don’t yet understand.
“If you’re beginning to make materials at this very very small scale, there’s a possibility they’ll get into places you don’t really want them to be, and they’ll start behaving in unusual ways.”
Maynard says the Environmental Protection Agency might be taking a step toward regulating nanotechnology.
Some companies sell products that use tiny particles of silver to kill germs. The EPA wants those companies to provide evidence the particles won’t harm waterways or public health.
For the Environment Report, I’m Rebecca Williams.