On Thursday we talked about how nanotechnology is a relatively new technology and its dangers are not completely known. Some people in the class compared it to thalidomide, DDT and asbestos. It turns out that there has been some negative press with nanotechnology in Australia. Unions there are demanding for strict regulation of the technology saying that its being used in things from sunscreen to bed sheets. According to the article the nanoparticles share similar characteristics to asbestos fibers. In fact the European Agency for Health and Safety has labeled nanoparticles as one of the greatest risk factors for people at working with them. Upon further research on my own I was unable to find any scientific articles showing the similarities of nanoparticles and asbestos. However this concern has been cited in numerous news articles across the internet. It seems as though nanotechnology is held in two very opposing views: some are hailing it as the problem to our solutions and others think it is too good to be true. Only time will tell.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/unions-call-for-action-to-oversee-nanotechnology-20090413-a4ts.html
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