Nanotechnology: how dangerous is a word?
Reading some recent commentary and media articles following a Science Meets Parliament event in Australia, one could be forgiven for thinking that nanotechnology is a single entity being unleashed unsuspectingly into the population to wreak havoc on our health and well being.
As a science communicator I can understand the need to attract and entice a reader, but the media and web sites I am referring to are not fiction novels; they report on the real world and using the term nanotechnology without the proper context or framing, as I suggest occurs in these instances, can only make it more difficult for society to make to an informed choice about how we use these technologies.
Check out the following passages from media and web sites: I have underlined the suspect lines.
From www.asbestos.com news link
Global Mesothelioma Concern Continues Through Nanotechology
Due to the possible health hazards associated with nanotechnology, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is currently asking for safety regulations surrounding nanomaterials in order to protect workers.
The concern over nanotechnology stems from its resemblance to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. Previous studies have indicated that nanoparticles share similar characteristics to asbestos fibers, which have been proven to cause pleural mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
While some studies have shown that only nano-particles of a particular long, thin shape have the potential to cause harm, the risk associated with nanotechnology deserves further research. (This is the only sentence that attempts to add some context, though I would suggest it is still misleading.)
‘‘From our point of view, there are growing concerns about the health and safety impacts of nanotech,” Mr Mullins said. “Not only do nano-particles share some characteristics with asbestos, but there’s also lessons to learn from the tragedy that occurred with asbestos… (I know the Mr Mullins in this story has a good knowledge of the science, so the criticism here lies with the reporting)
And this headline on a media release from ACTU web site
ACTU Seminar – Nanotechnology: The Next Asbestos?
Friday, 6 February 2009
Each article suggests that either nanotechnology as an entity or any nano-particle (without really describing what a nanoparticle is or how they can be used) is responsible for the impending harm to human health.
Nanotechnology is a platform technology that involves a range of technologies in the fields of biology, physics, chemistry, and any –ology you care to name. A nano-particle is any element or compound at the nano-scale (usually described as less than 100 nanometres though this doesn’t apply in every situation). Nature is full of natural nano-particles, but it is acknowledged by all that it is the engineered nano-particles that are of concern and then only some of them, and then only in certain applications.
For example, it is certain types of carbon nanotubes that can clump together to form asbestos-like fibres. They have been found to cause asbestos-like disease symptoms in mice, but it yet to be determined if the same applies to humans. This is a serious risk that needs to be investigated, but to say “nanoparticles share similar characteristics to asbestos fibers, which have been proven to cause pleural mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases” is misleading and along with the misuse of the term nanotechnology in general, only hinders any attempt to have a constructive and informed debate about these technologies.
I can equate it to the many conversations I have with the public who think biotechnology is only human cloning and mutated or GM frankenfood crops.
It is especially important at this early stage when the public’s awareness and knowledge about nanotechnologies is low that we are all careful about how we communicate nanotechnologies – or any emerging and controversial technology, if we want society to be an active and informed participant in guiding the direction these technologies will take. Having said this, the debate still needs to be open and honest and account for the social and scientific aspects of the debate.
The status of the science regarding carbon nanotubes and their potential link to mesothelioma is discussed rather well in Andrew Maynard’s 2020 Science Blog
More information about what nanotechnology is and where the potential applications are can be found at the GNTIS web site
2020 Science – http://2020science.org/
Jason Major
manager, GNTIS
