[extropy-chat] FWD (SK) More Research Urged on Nanoparticle Risk

[Amara Graps]

  >A newly released inventory by the Project on
>Emerging Nanotechnologies found about $6 million
>being spent annually by the federal government on
>research that is highly focused on health and
>environmental effects of nanotechnology.

Some similar efforts are happening on this side of the pond.

Last Spring, a friend of mine showed me some interesting
graphs from a special instrument: a mass spectrometer and scanning
electron microscope combined, of the chemical composition of nano-to-
micrometer-sized particles embedded in living and dead tissue (humans,
animals, plants). Apparently this instrument can make these kind of
measurements easily, so tiny particles in tissue are often seen for
the first time. In most cases, the scientists did not know exactly how
the tiny particles entered the body, so the data seems to open
a new field of investigative biology/environmental science
(nanopathology).

The graphs were output from a group of scientists who are funded in
part by the European Commission [project titled: 'The role of
nano-particles in biomaterial-induced pathologies', project number
QLK4-CT-2001-00147]. I have a brochure of the project that reads (in
part):

Goals:

1. Application of a novel ultrastructural technology to detect and
visualize nanoparticles. Physico-chemical characterization of
micro-and nanopparticles.

2. In viro studies/to determine the effects of nano-particles on
cell-structure and/function.

3. In vivo studies to simulate exposure to nanoparticles.

4. Clinical studies to determine/the source and/distribution of
nanoparticles.


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One result found from this project that my friend told me was that
some people are dying mysteriously in war zones, not by obvious means,
but from tiny particles (I do not know which) embedded in the
environment that enter the body, and disable quickly some of the
body's organs. There is a link to cancer apparently too.

In searching on the net to find more information about this project,
I did not find details of their results, however, I found information
on the area of EU funding for this work.

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http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_risk/documents/ev_20040301_en.pdf

Nanotechnologies: A Preliminary Risk Analysis On The Basis Of A
Workshop Organized In Brussels On 1-2 March 2004 By The Health And
Consumer Protection Directorate General Of The European Commission

on page 18, footnote 6: of the document

we read:

6 Note that there are several ongoing R&D activities in the field of
health, safety and environmental aspects of nanotechnology at both EU
and national level. Within the scope of the EU's 5th Framework
Programmes, examples of ongoing projects include Nanopathology "The
role of nano-particles in biomaterial-induced pathologies"
(QLK4-CT-2001-00147); Nanoderm "Quality of skin as a barrier to
ultra-fine particles" (QLK4-CT-2002-02678); Nanosafe "Risk assessment
in production and use of nano-particles with development of preventive
measures and practice codes" (G1MA-CT-2002-00020). Specific
initiatives are also being launched as part of the 6th Framework
Programmes together with the inclusion of such studies within
Integrated Projects, where relevant. Additional information on these
and other initiatives can be found under the Cordis web pages
(www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology).

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Amara Graps, PhD          email: amara at amara.com
Computational Physics     vita:  ftp://ftp.amara.com/pub/resume.txt
Multiplex Answers         URL:   http://www.amara.com/
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"It is intriguing to learn that the simplicity of the world depends
upon the temperature of the environment." ---John D. Barrow