Frankin-nanotech.

In Nov 2004, the U.S. EPA has awarded $4 million in 12 grants to dozens of universities to study the health and environmental risks of nanotechnology. Books and popular culture have pinned a Frankenstein scenario on the nanotechnology. The science is not close to the little autonomous robotic terrors that have been romanticized by many science fiction novels and dreamers. Dangers do exist from nanoparticles. The particles can be malicious. What is strange and fuels our fear is that it is still unknown as to what nanoparticles will do.

Now we get to praise the government. Awarding grants to universities that are doing research on the health and environmental risks of nanotechnology is a large step forward into cautious thinking. Particles that are between 1-100 nanometers function differently than those on those on a full scale. The government is meant to protect people and the grants are a safe way to help and protect consumers. The government should be careful not to overstep the bounds which the constitution puts on it. Caution is a great path when it does not inhibit development what would otherwise be the difference between life and death.
According to http://www.aaenvironment.com/Nanotechnology.htm:
“The federal government is spending about $1 billion per year from 2004 - 2008 to promote nanotechnology.”
“Among the grants being funded:
• Absorption and toxicity of nanoparticles on skin (several cosmetic products already contain nanoparticles.
• Effects of nanoparticles on drinking water.
• Effects of nanoparticles on lung tissues.
• Environmental impacts on marine and freshwater sediments and on aquatic bacteria, algae and plankton.
• Conditions under which nanoparticles absorb and/or release environmental contaminants.”

In a lab I toured, the some of the nanoparticles where handled in a pressure box which had the rubber gloves built in. The pressure chambers --which were very cool-- served as a basis for protection, in case any there was a potential risk factor from the nanoparticles, although most people were skeptic about any risks for that particular facility.

The NIST, EPA,NHA, FDA and others are all looking into the possible effects of stray manufactured nanoparticles in the environment. More recently the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offered medical screening for workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.

The majority of the research is based around sensing nanoparticles in biological settings. There are various applications of nanotech being researched. Medical applications include new diabetes treatments, biological probes, drug delivery systems and bio sensors. The research is done in various fields.