The New TFT Investigation: How Scary Is Nanotechnology?

Okay, so maybe “How scary is nanotechnology?” is a leading question. The truth is, nanotechnology, like most things, is neither all bad nor all good.

But first of all, what is nanotechnology? It’s one of those catch-all terms that refers to an extremely broad branch of science in which physicists study and then attempt to control matter on an atomic or molecular scale. Generally nanotech involves dealing with structures that are 100 nanometers or smaller, and producing materials that are of a similar size. One of the most commonly used and studied structures, for example, is the carbon nanotube, a nano-sized cylindrical structure made from carbon molecules. Because of their structure, carbon nanotubes are extremely strong, and are great thermal conductors. Those two properties would be handy in materials for all sorts of things, from body armor to solar panels.

Nanoparticles have already been released into the world en masse. Nanosilver imbues many Americans’ socks with antimicrobial properties. Quantum dots and nanocrystals are found in all sorts of self-cleaning appliances. Nano-iron (also known as Zero Valent Iron) has been tested in remediation fluids at Superfund sites.

According to a 2008 survey by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (a partnership between the Woodrow Wilson Center at Princeton and Pew Charitable Trusts), products containing nanoparticles are already flooding the market, with more than 800 products on shelves today. This includes food packaging, disinfectants, and clothing with nanosilver; cosmetics and sunscreen with nano zinc oxide.

But you’re not likely to see “nanosilver” anywhere on those packages of tube socks at CostCo. Because nanosilver is not a new chemical or ingredient–it’s a smaller version of an existing, and already regulated, particle–there’s nothing that requires companies to list the inclusion of the chemical on their packaging.

Yep, that’s right. There is absolutely no regulation of nanoparticles. When I first read that fact, I thought it must be hyperbole. But, although there are (thankfully) plenty of researchers studying how nanoparticles behave, no one seems to regulate them. The EPA is allowed to regulate new commercial chemicals before they enter the market, but under the Toxic Substances Control Act most nanomaterials don’t qualify as new materials.

This doesn’t necessarily mean nanotechnology is bad. Nanoparticles could be used to do all sorts of good things, like making solar panels more efficient. Unfortunately, there are also legitimate concerns, and they all basically boil down to this: We just don’t know enough about how nano-sized particles will behave in the real world.

It is this lack of knowledge that sparked the latest TFT Investigation. We hope you find the topic as important as we do, because we need your help researching it. Have you read anything interesting about nanoparticles or nanotechnology lately? Send us links. Know anyone doing nanotechnology research? Introduce us, please! Discover a nanoparticle ingredient in a product? Let us know – we’ll add it to the chart we’re working on, which lists various common household items that contain nanoparticles.

I can’t stress enough that we’re not interested in just freaking out about nanotechnology: nanomaterials have a huge potential to solve some of our most pressing problems. Our interest is to educate ourselves and our readers about what’s out there and about the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology. All contributions welcome!