They probably just don't know any better. Don't forget Hanlon's Razor (never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity).
Nano silver is safe, but it is a fact that "the fundamental properties of matter can change at the nano scale", as they say. Bucky balls, for instance, have been implicated as carcinogens and some studies suggest they may be able to cause damage to DNA. Perhaps sooner or later there will be a tragedy related to nano technology which will cause a backlash, and if so, then it may be that misguided regulation of all nano materials will ensue. Of course, there are naturally occurring nano-sized materials too. We have always been surrounded by them. What's new and a bit scary is making *syntheic* materials available in nano-sized form... But I expect most minerals have been available in nano-sized form since the beginning. Damascus steel was made from around 1100 to 1700 CE, and it is now known to contain carbon nanotubes. Something to do with the process used to manufacture it. The more things change... indi On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 07:52:48PM -0400, Faith Gagne wrote: > 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" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > 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 > > > -- > The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. > > Instructions for unsubscribing are posted at: http://silverlist.org > > To post, address your message to: [email protected] > > Address Off-Topic messages to: [email protected] > > The Silver List and Off Topic List archives are currently down... > > List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]> > >
