Here is a terrific article about how Nanotechnology works from the guys at 'How Stuff Works': In order to understand this newly emerging world of nanotechnology, we need to get an idea of the units of measure involved, as well as some of its most redeeming properties.
Size Does Matter!
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. This is smaller than the wavelength of visible light but one hundred-thousandth the width of a single human hair.
Include this incredibly small scale size with strength and durability and you'll find nano-particles that are one of fastest growing industries around.
Nanotechnology for the delivery of a 'payload' can be applied in medicines, foods, micro electronics, DNA mapping, and pesticides. Because of this, it would seem imperative to have manufacturing safety regulations in place.
Unfortunately, nano-particles are subject to any special regulation regarding production, handling or labeling.
A branch called Nanotoxicology cares about this issue.
For many types of particles, the smaller they are, the greater their surface area to volume ratio. This means they also have a higher chemical and biological reactivity.
Greater chemical reactivity of nanomaterials can result in increased production of reactive oxygen species which increases free radicals.
ROS and free radical production is one of the primary mechanisms of nanoparticle toxicity; it may result in oxidative stress, inflammation, and consequent damage to proteins, membranes and DNA. ROS production has been found in a diverse range of nanomaterials including carbon fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and nanoparticle metal oxides.
What does this mean in summary?
When something causes free radical production inside our cell tissues, it can easily lead to cell mutation and cellular death.
Due to the nano-size of these particles we have to be careful with the ones we can ingest or inhale or ones that have contact with our skin.
Here are common Nanotech materials in our daily lives:
Skin care products
Cosmetics
Imaging and scanning diagnostics like MRI's
Cancer detection
Sunscreen products
Vitamins and supplements
Oral and intravenous medicines
Building materials, sealants
food packaging
In the full chapter being written for the "Release And Recover" book, I have a copy of a clinical impression toxicological report that shows my family's exposure to many of the already existing nanoparticles.
Smart Dust may very well be the champion of all these nano-particles because of its ability to monitor Anything!
So what does that mean for our future safety?
I have to admit it is sounding a bit like the Star Trek. Being assimilated by the Borg. A fusion of man and machine.
What can we do now? Educate, Collaborate, Stimulate
Please help spread the awareness.
Flushing, detoxing, and re-vitalizing our body tissues is a wise strategy for keeping our health.
Size Does Matter!
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. This is smaller than the wavelength of visible light but one hundred-thousandth the width of a single human hair.
Include this incredibly small scale size with strength and durability and you'll find nano-particles that are one of fastest growing industries around.
Nanotechnology for the delivery of a 'payload' can be applied in medicines, foods, micro electronics, DNA mapping, and pesticides. Because of this, it would seem imperative to have manufacturing safety regulations in place.
Unfortunately, nano-particles are subject to any special regulation regarding production, handling or labeling.
A branch called Nanotoxicology cares about this issue.
For many types of particles, the smaller they are, the greater their surface area to volume ratio. This means they also have a higher chemical and biological reactivity.
Greater chemical reactivity of nanomaterials can result in increased production of reactive oxygen species which increases free radicals.
ROS and free radical production is one of the primary mechanisms of nanoparticle toxicity; it may result in oxidative stress, inflammation, and consequent damage to proteins, membranes and DNA. ROS production has been found in a diverse range of nanomaterials including carbon fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and nanoparticle metal oxides.
What does this mean in summary?
When something causes free radical production inside our cell tissues, it can easily lead to cell mutation and cellular death.
Due to the nano-size of these particles we have to be careful with the ones we can ingest or inhale or ones that have contact with our skin.
Here are common Nanotech materials in our daily lives:
Skin care products
Cosmetics
Imaging and scanning diagnostics like MRI's
Cancer detection
Sunscreen products
Vitamins and supplements
Oral and intravenous medicines
Building materials, sealants
food packaging
In the full chapter being written for the "Release And Recover" book, I have a copy of a clinical impression toxicological report that shows my family's exposure to many of the already existing nanoparticles.
Smart Dust may very well be the champion of all these nano-particles because of its ability to monitor Anything!
So what does that mean for our future safety?
I have to admit it is sounding a bit like the Star Trek. Being assimilated by the Borg. A fusion of man and machine.
What can we do now? Educate, Collaborate, Stimulate
Please help spread the awareness.
Flushing, detoxing, and re-vitalizing our body tissues is a wise strategy for keeping our health.
