Hi Bob.
This group, "The Center for Food Safety" is after the FDA to regulate
nano-silver. This group says that nano-silver is unsafe, though they don't
produce any proof of any kind. (Google them). This is what they say:
What's At Stake:
Nanotechnology is a powerful platform technology to take apart and
reconstruct nature at the atomic and molecular level. It involves the
manipulation of matter at the nanometer (nm) scale, one-billionth of a
meter. The nano-scale is exceedingly tiny: A human hair is huge by
comparison, about 50,000 nm thick; the head of a pin is about 1 million nm
across.
Scientists have found that the fundamental properties of matter can change
at the nano-scale, creating physical and chemical properties distinct from
those of the same material in bulk form. Nanoparticles have unprecedented
mobility, and readily enter the human body and gain access to the blood
stream via inhalation and ingestion. In addition, the jury is still out on
the ease of nanoparticles' ability to penetrate the skin. Studies have
raised numerous red flags, with some showing that certain nanoparticles can
be toxic to human tissue and cells. Once inside the body, nanoparticles can
cross biological membranes, cells, tissues, and organs more efficiently than
larger particles. Once in the blood stream, nanomaterials can circulate
throughout the body and can be taken up by the organs and tissues including
the brain, liver, heart, kidneys, spleen, bone marrow, and nervous system.
In addition, unlike larger particles, nanoparticles are transported within
cells and taken up by cell mitochondria and the cell nucleus, where they may
interfere with normal cellular function, cause oxidative damage and even
cell death. The length of time that nanoparticles remain in organs and the
dosage that may cause harmful effects remains unknown. Scientists agree that
because of their new properties and seemingly limitless mobility,
nanoparticles can create new and unique risks to human health and the
environment, notably enhanced toxicity. These risks require new forms of
safety testing. Existing studies have raised red flags demonstrating that
current nanomaterials already in commerce may be extremely damaging to
living organisms and systems.
By 2010 the nano-food market could be worth $6 billion. Many of the world's
leading food companies - including H.J. Heinz, Nestle, Hershey, Campbell,
General Mills, PepsiCo, Sara Lee, Unilever, and Kraft - are investing
heavily in nanotechnology applications. Nanoparticles of silver, titanium
dioxide, and zinc oxide, materials now used in dietary supplements and food
packaging, have been found to be highly toxic to cells in studies.
Nano-silver, the most common commercialized nanomaterial, is being used in
numerous food packaging items, cutlery, baby bottles, and kitchen appliances
and cleaners for its "germ-killing" power. This same powerful strength can
destroy important beneficial microorganisms in nature as well.
Moreover, the unregulated commercialization of these products poses unknown
dangers to the environment once they are released into the waste stream. The
same unique mobility and toxicity concerns that apply to human health apply
to the environment. Even simply detecting these engineered substances in
the environment is a new challenge.
Thus far, nanotechnology-laced products are treated by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) like any other products or product ingredients. In
2006 CTA, joined by other consumer health and environmental groups,
petitioned FDA to stop ignoring the new dangers presented by these
nanomaterials and force manufacturers to label these new nanoproducts,
including nano-sunscreens (Docket No. 2006P-2010). In 2008 CTA filed a
similar legal action with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the
unregulated potential environmental and health dangers of nano-silver
consumer products.
Further Resources:
International Center for Technology Assessment 2008 Legal Petition to EPA on
Regulation of Nano-silver Products,
http://www.nanoaction.org/nanoaction/page.cfm?id=244
Campaign Expiration Date:
October 20, 2008
Faith G.
----- Original Message -----
From: "bbanever" <bbane...@earthlink.net>
To: <silver-list@eskimo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7:43 PM
Subject: CS>Re:
Faith,
Nano silver is indeed ionic/colloidal silver or something very
similar. Companies are adding nano sized silver particles to products
claiming it kills germs. I think the FDA is worried that this will catch
on with the general populace and think it's ok to make/use colloidal
silver and/or the silver being discharged into our environment as a result
of these industrial uses can be dangerous to our ecosystem.
Bob
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