Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Nanotech Gone Awry?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the always-takes-a-few-problems-to-get-a-closer-look dept.

westcoaster004 writes "Chemical and Engineering News is reporting what appears to be 'the first recall of a nanotechnology-based product' due to health risks associated with it. The recall of 'Magic Nano' spray, which is for use on glass and ceramic surfaces to make them repel dirt and water, comes after at least 77 people in Germany contacted regional poison control centers after experiencing illness after using the product. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has also issued a warning." Relatedly dolphin558 writes "There is an interesting story in the Washington Post on the unknown dangers facing employees of nanotechnology firms. The jury is still out on whether traditional HAZMAT safeguards are suitable when handling nanomaterials, many of which can be harmful. Research into potential workplace hazards is beginning to ramp up as the industry and government become more aware of this issue."

10 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. Nanotech? by shadowcode · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What I wonder is, how much of this product is actually related to nanotech? Isn't it just some fancy spray with 'nano' slapped on the label?

    1. Re:Nanotech? by aussie_a · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I always think of nanotechnology as dealing with self-replicating machines that are at the atomic scale. But I suppose any "spray" can technically be classed as nanotechnology (if you define it as "technology at the atomic scale").

      Aaah, definition games. Fun.

    2. Re:Nanotech? by ozmanjusri · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Isn't it just some fancy spray with 'nano' slapped on the label?

      It's claimed to have nano-sized particles of silica and silicone suspended in ethanol and water. Silicone is known to be a mild dermal irritant, so I'd guess the illness is a result of silicone inhalation.

      The nanotech aspect may be relevant in that the small particle size would allow the spray to bypass the body's protection mechanisms and directly affect the alveoli. That would be consistent with the symptoms described. It's drawing a long bow to call it a nanotech hazard though.

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
    3. Re:Nanotech? by ozmanjusri · · Score: 4, Interesting
      "to bypass the body's protection mechanisms and directly affect " is a pretty common property of nano particles.

      Yes, but it is not a function of nano technology. Any respirable particle (one which is small enough to enter the alveoli) will have similar consequences. That includes things like grain dust, silica, asbestos, metal fume from welding - the whole pantheon of existing nano sized, but not nano tech toxins.

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
    4. Re:Nanotech? by Knuckles · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Except that the widespread use of "low"-tech nanotech (like the spray in the story) will increase the number of types of those particles tremendously, and will likely come up with new types all the time.

      --
      "When I first heard Daydream Nation it quite frankly scared the living shit out of me." -- Matthew Stearns
  2. Will Nano particles become the next asbestos? by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Allowing nano scale particulates to be released in the home seems like a foolhardy way to save a bit of time.
    I like the principle of nano tech, especially in embedded applications (like within a ceramic chip casing) but spraying it around just screams of stupidity.

    People should just clean their windows manually, a good cloth can be found here.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  3. Nanotech = negative image by Zouden · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder how long until the word "nanotech" falls out of favour because it becomes associated with dangerous "science gone too far".

    We aren't even nearly at the stage of nanomachines ("grey goop"), yet I imagine the public is beginning to feel that everything with the nano-prefix is dangerous. Soon companies and scientists will start using other words to describe the technology. This is fine with me - I actually think that a lot of "nanotechnology" could be better described with other words (same with AI).

    --
    "A week in the lab saves an hour in the library"
  4. Re:Nanotech bounding forth with no safety concerns by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 3, Interesting
    At the end of ten hours, there are not thirty-six new replicators, but over 68 billion.
    And then their "food" in the petri dish runs out, and the next morning a scientist takes care of the problem with a spray can of "Nano-b-gone". Don't lose any sleep over it... there are plenty of real dangers of nanotech to worry about, such as the one cited in the main article.
    --
    If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
  5. Re:could be very good... by sjames · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's unfortunate that a LOT more thought doesn't go into products that incorporate nanoscale particles. They probably shouldn't be in home use at all at this point. Many perfectly harmless products can become MUCH more harmful in the form of nano-particles. Further, typical masks and respirators aren't much help for particles that small. Certainly the filters used typically in a central heating/air system won't help.

    Nano particles have a way of getting much deeper into a person than conventional aerosols. The conventional aerosol might penetrate a bit into the lung and be eliminated more or less harmlessly while the nanoparticles go right into the bloodstream and into all of the tissues including the brain. There are a lot of products that are definatly not non-toxic but may be used almost as if they were simply because no significant amount normally enters your system.

  6. Possible dangers of nanoparticles by Apa · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I recently heard of research showing that nanoparticles (that is, particle of nanoscale size) can penetrate the blood brain barrier among other things. Aparently they can also enter the body trough the skin and lungs and interact with cells in previously unseen ways etc. That mean great posibilties for new medicines etc of course, but it would also sugest a posibility for serious healt hazards...

    http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-8350-f0.cfm
    http://www.technologyreview.com/Materials/wtr_15 847,318,p1.html