INTRODUCTION

Less than a decade from now, 15% of all products will contain something called nanotechnology, say researchers. But what exactly is it and how do we deal with the issues arising from it? This edition of Brussels Briefing will attempt to provide some of the answers.

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology involves working with particles as small as atoms and molecules to transform and construct a wide range of new materials, devices, technological systems and even living organisms. The minute size of these particles is simply staggering.

A nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter, smaller than the wavelength of visible light and a hundred thousandth of the width of a human hair. In recent years the development of microscopes capable of displaying particles as small as atoms has allowed scientists to at last fully explore and exploit all the possibilities that nanotechnology offers.

What is it used for

Set out below are three areas where nanotechnology is already in use:

• Targeted drug delivery – Medical scientists have developed ways to direct drugs to cancerous tumours in tiny gold-plated “nanobullets” to seek out and destroy inoperable cancers.

• Clothing – Some clothes have nanoparticles in the form of little hairs or whiskers that help repel water and other materials, making the clothing stain-resistant.

• Scratch resistant coatings – Aluminium silicate nanoparticles have been added to scratch-resistant polymer coatings, increasing resistance to chipping and scratching and common on everything from cars to eyeglass lenses.

The future of nanotechnology

With so much scope for development, it is impossible to predict all the future uses of this technology. Set out below, though, are some of the foreseeable applications:

• Tiny nanodevices might patrol our arteries, fighting infections and diagnosing disease.

• Stagecoach, the transport company, is currently testing the addition of nanoparticles to fuel to reduce exhaust gas emissions, increase engine life and improve fuel efficiency by over 10%.

• Building materials could be made stronger and more flexible to resist damage from earthquakes, fire, floods or simple erosion.

What risks are posed by nanotechnology?

Despite all the obvious benefits, critics argue that nanotechnology poses serious new risks to society:

• Health – Nano-sized objects tend to be more toxic than their larger scale counterparts and therefore thorough toxicological research will need to be carried out before they are permitted to enter the human body.

• Environment – Some nanoparticles such as copper or silver have been shown to be harmful to aquatic life and removing them from water in particular and the wider environment may present a significant problem due to their small size.

• Economic – Nanotechnology could be used to produce better commodities more cheaply with direct consequences for those developing countries that currently supply them, leaving millions of workers without a livelihood.

For the most part, these anticipated problems are hypothetical, as not enough research has yet been done to indicate whether or not they have any real substance.

Is regulation needed?

At present nanotechnology is largely unregulated. Indeed, some argue that regulation would stifle its advancement. Yet, by last year, 580 nanotechnology products were already available to consumers, of which 70 are designed for human consumption. As a result a “wait and see” approach is increasingly becoming no longer a safe or viable option. The European Commission’s current “incremental” approach is to apply existing legislation wherever possible and make specific amendments to these regulations if required.

Conclusion

Nanotechnology has the potential to produce real benefits across a whole range of industries and communities. Nevertheless, some caution will still be required while scientists investigate further the risks the new technology poses and how those risks can be safely dealt with.

Gary Titley MEP
May 2008