Nano: the new science with lots of unanswered questions

While still an emerging field, nano-scale sciences and technologies (nanoST) are already present in our daily lives, with more than 1000 consumer products identified as containing nano-materials. While the science has been quickly adopted in products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, household appliances and cleaning products, the health and environmental risks associated with nanoST are still hotly contested.

A recent report by The Australia Institute entitled ‘What you should know about nano’, written by Dr Fern Wickson, recommends an 11-point plan of action for policymaking on nanoST development.

Dr Wickson recently presented details of the report at the Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society Network Conference and commented in part: “There is no dispute that nanoST offers exciting and diverse opportunities, but there should also be no dispute that there are far too many unanswered questions for us to have blind faith in the new technology.

“Worryingly, early research has shown a similarity between the way the body responds to carbon nano-tubes and asbestos. While there is still such a degree of uncertainty about potential risks, consumers are entitled to greater transparency about their exposure to nanoST.”

In a recent report comparing regulatory governance of nanotechnology in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Europe, Australia was not described as setting ‘best practice’ standards in the coordination of governance, information gathering, weighing risks against benefits and having an accountable and transparent approach.

Included in Dr Wickson’s recommendations are:

• Mandatory reporting on all products containing nanotubes and other nanomaterials.
• A parliamentary inquiry into nanoST.
• Health surveillance and environmental monitoring of high potential exposures.
• Adopting a precautionary approach to the commercialisation of the technology in cases where the potential for harm has been demonstrated, significant uncertainties remain and social benefits appear marginal.

“The experiment in nanoST has clearly already begun and as consumers and workers we are already involved,” said Dr Wickson. “The question is, do we want to be and if so, how do we want to be?”

The Australia Institute
www.tai.org.au