Nanotechnology – the next asbestos?
An overview of the big challenges of the 'science of the small'
Georgia Miller Friends of the Earth
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
An introduction to Friends of the Earth
• Friends of the Earth (FoE) is the world’s largest grassroots environmental organisation • Active in 77 countries, more than 2 million global members • Working towards an environmentally sustainable and socially just future • FoE Australia has worked on nanotechnology since 2005
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Nanotechnology is the 'science of the small'
– Manipulating materials, systems and devices at the scale of atoms and molecules – A nanometre (nm) is one billionth of a metre – “Nanoparticles” measure less than a few hundred nanometres
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
To get some sense of scale…
• The earth is about 100 million times bigger than a soccer ball • A soccer ball is about 100 million times bigger than a carbon 'bucky ball'
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Or to put in another way…
If a nanometre were 1 metre wide, a red blood cell would be 7 kilometres long!
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
What is new about nano?
At the extremely small nanoscale, the properties of familiar substances change: - Instead of being white and opaque, zinc becomes clear - Carbon conducts electricity as effectively as copper - Gold can be red or blue • New applications for old materials, but also new risks
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Nano is more than just nanoparticles!
– A 'platform' technology that enables convergence between different scientific fields (eg NBIC human enhancement, synthetic biology) – Applications spanning all industries – 'Next generation' includes nano-devices, nano-manufacturing, nano-biotechnology – Controversy over what is possible, time line – The next industrial revolution?
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Who’s involved in nano?
• • • • • • • • • • Intel • Toyota • Ford • Boeing • BP • Johnson & Johnson • Proctor & Gamble • Revlon • L'Oreal • Over 60 governments world-wide Kraft Nestle Unilever Syngenta Bayer BASF DuPont Orica IBM
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Nanoproducts in Australia
Sunscreens & cosmetics & cosmetics Sunscreens Food packaging Fabrics & clothes Agricultural chemicals Food packaging ‘Health’ supplements ‘Health’ supplements Paints & varnishes Agricultural chemicals Household appliances Paints & varnishes Car & aeroplane parts Household appliances Fuel catalysts, industrial chemicals Car & aeroplane parts Energy coatings Surface & environmental applications • Fuel catalysts, industrial chemicals • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Friends of the Earth concerns about nanotechnology
– Another asbestos – serious early warning signs of health harm ignored – Purpose – what’s driving nano development – Predictability and control – Social distribution of benefits vs risks; social challenges and costs – Ownership and access – Public participation in decision making
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
World’s oldest scientific institution called for action 5ya
In its 2004 report on nanotechnology the UK Royal Society recommended: – Nanoparticles be treated as new chemicals – Full safety assessment of all products that contain nanoparticles prior to market release – Factories and research laboratories to treat nanoparticles as if they were hazardous – Mandatory labelling of nano-ingredients – But none of these things has yet happened; nanotechnology remains effectively unregulated
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Insurance experts warn nano may repeat the asbestos tragedy
The world’s second largest reinsurer, Swiss Re, warned in 2004 that nanoparticles may pose similar health risks to asbestos: “Some nanotubes are similar in size and form to asbestos fibres. The supposition that the potential for harm could be similar would appear to be obvious…”
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Nanotubes that look like asbestos fibres behave like them
Carbon nanotubes (left) look very similar to asbestos fibres (right). Two separate studies published in 2008 showed that long carbon nanotubes cause mesothelioma in test mice.
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Swiss Re has called for the precautionary principle
“There are [also] indications that certain [nontube] nanomaterials are potential health hazards. The danger is most probably not of an acute but a chronic nature, and it could be some time before it manifests itself… “In view of the dangers to society that could arise out of the establishment of nanotechnology, and given the uncertainty prevailing in scientific circles, the precautionary principle should be applied whatever the difficulties.”
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
Civil society calls for a moratorium
Friends of the Earth Australia, US, Europe Greenpeace International The ETC Group National Toxics Network The Soil Association International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations • Nyeleni Forum for Food Sovereignty
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au
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For more information about nanotechnology
http://nano.foe.org.au
Or contact me to sign up for “Nano News”, FoE’s monthly newsletter: georgia.miller@foe.org.au 0437 979 402
For more information: http://nano.foe.org.au