[All] nano-technology and fluroride articles (unrelated)

Wed Jan 26 08:20:50 EST 2011

I highlighted the following paragraph from the full article below it on new
nano-technology concerns. Below that article is another about Calgary
considering stopping water fluoridation - with a nod to Waterloo! 

Some studies have shown that these materials are turning up in end- stage
sewage sludge, raising questions about long-term problems. Other materials
on the list are even closer to the water supply, for example: zero valent
iron is being used as an ingredient in efforts to clean up polluted
groundwater. "The wastewater agencies have no clue" how to measure the
amount of these metals, or what to do to get them out if they do pose a
hazard, Mr. Wong said.

Susan K

California to Take a Hard Look at Nano-Substances

(Beyond Pesticides, January 26, 2011) California's Department of Toxic

Substances Control (DTSC) is asking in-state nanotechnology companies

and researchers to share how they're keeping tabs on several nano-

sized metals, as evidence continues to emerge that these substances

may have long-term implications for the environment. Nano-sized

materials, now incorporated into many consumer products including

paper wrapping, clothing and cosmetics, are currently not regulated

and have not been assessed for hazards that have the potential to

impact public health and the environment.

Photo Courtesy Oregon State University

Late last month, the DTSC put out a request for information about nano-

sized silver, zero valent iron, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, cerium

oxide and quantum dots. Specifically, the agency wants to know what

tools companies and researchers are using to analyze these materials-a

key question for regulators across the country in the effort to

understand the impact of the substances-over a broad range of areas,

including air, water, soil, sewage sludge and urine.

Nanotechnology, which capitalizes on unique properties of super-small

particles, is already in use in manufacturing items like bike frames,

skin creams and cancer treatments. As these tiny materials hit the

market, there are huge gaps in what scientists know about their

properties. Jeffrey Wong, DTSC's chief scientist, said in an interview

that his agency's call for information -its second such request, after

a similar move involving carbon nanotubes two years ago- is aimed at

informing consumers. California, with its concentration of high-tech

companies, is a hotbed for nanotechnology, Mr. Wong said, and the DTSC

wants to push as much information into the public sphere as possible.

The basic question the agency is asking, Mr. Wong said, is, "What do

you know about your materials?" Several of the metals, such as

nanosilver and titanium dioxide, are of interest because they're being

used in consumer products. Nanosilver, for example, is used as an

antibacterial agent in athletic clothing, while titanium dioxide is in

some sunscreens.

Some studies have shown that these materials are turning up in end-

stage sewage sludge, raising questions about long-term problems. Other

materials on the list are even closer to the water supply, for

example: zero valent iron is being used as an ingredient in efforts to

clean up polluted groundwater. "The wastewater agencies have no clue"

how to measure the amount of these metals, or what to do to get them

out if they do pose a hazard, Mr. Wong said.

Prompted by a petition submitted in 2008 calling for the regulation of

nanomaterials and to stop the sale of 250+ consumer products now using

nanosized versions of silver, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) stated that an active or inert ingredient would be considered

"new" if it is a nanoscale material. The new policy would apply even

when a non-nanoscale form of that same active or inert is already in a

product registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and

Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). EPA is in the process of preparing a Federal

Register notice on nanomaterials and pesticide products. The notice

will announce a new interpretation of FIFRA Section 6(a)(2)

regulations, that the presence of a nanoscale material is reportable

under FIFRA Section 6(a)(2) for environmental effects. This

controversial interpretation would apply to already registered

products, as well as products pending registration. However, this new

policy has not been finalized or put into effect, while under review

by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Many attribut the holdup

to industry backlash. Pesticide manufacturers routinely fail to inform

EPA when their products contain nanoscale particles. Consumers are

left in the dark about their potential exposure as these products are

currently being marketed under ambiguous labels.

Nanotechnology is a powerful new platform technology for taking apart

and reconstructing nature at the atomic and molecular level. Just as

the size and chemical characteristics of manufactured nanoparticles

can give them unique properties, those same new properties -tiny size,

vastly increased surface area to volume ratio, high reactivity- can

also create unique and unpredictable human health and environmental

risks. Scientists and researchers are becoming increasingly concerned

with the potential impacts of these particles on public health and the

environment. A new study by scientists from Oregon State University

(OSU) and the European Union (EU) highlights the major regulatory and

educational issues that they believe should be considered before

nanoparticles are used in pesticides.

While silver is known to be toxic to fish and aquatic organisms,

recent scientific studies have shown that nanosilver is much more

toxic and can cause damage in new ways. Exposures are occurring during

use and disposal. Concerns over nanosilver were first raised by

national wastewater utilities in early 2006. A 2008 study shows that

washing nanosilver socks releases substantial amounts of the

nanosilver into the laundry discharge water, which will ultimately

reach natural waterways and potentially poison fish and other aquatic

organisms. Another 2008 study finds that releases of nanosilver can

destroy benign bacteria used in wastewater treatment.

Copper nanoparticles could be released from the treated wood during

sawing or machining, cleaning, through normal wear and tear, or from

product decomposition, and then become available for potential

inhalation or ingestion. Reports stated in early 2009 that over five

billion board feet of wood have been treated with its "micronized"

copper products, so the potential for consumer exposure to nanoscale

copper particles could be quite large.

In 2007, a broad international coalition of 40 consumer, public

health, environmental, and labor organizations, including Beyond

Pesticides, released the Principles for the Oversight of

Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials, calling for strong, comprehensive

oversight of the new technology and its products. Beyond Pesticides

has since advocated for a precautionary course of action in order to

prevent unnecessary risks to the public, workers and the environment.

For more information on nano pesticides visit the antimicrobial

webpage.

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/

======================================

January 25, 2011

CBC News

Fluoride removal debate heats up

By CBC News

Wednesday's day-long consultation by Calgary city council is on an

issue other Canadian municipalities have faced.

Waterloo, Ont., for example no longer adds fluoride to its water

supply. Less than half of the city's population of 500,000 turned out

to vote on the issue last summer, the anti-fluoride side won by a slim

margin.

"Since there's so many ways to access fluoride, why do you need to

have it the water?" asked Blaine Grey, a 53-year-old father who went

door to door to campaign against fluoridation.

Fluoridation first started in Canada 60 years ago. Forty-five per cent

of Canadians drink fluoridated water, Health Canada said in 2007, the

latest national figures available.

Dentists and authorities such as Health Canada and the World Health

Organization that support fluoridation say adding the mineral to water

protects teeth.

They say community water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to

reach everyone particularly children's teeth as they develop.

"It is part of our equitable treatment of our population" said Dr.

Lynn Tompkins, president of the Ontario Dental Association. "Getting

fluoride in the drinking water does help all of the vulnerable

population, as well as healthy populations."

But those against fluoridation say the cavity protection practice

risks fluorosis, a condition where tiny stains or pits appear on teeth

if too much fluoride is ingested.

Fluoride choice

Aside from drinking water, fluoride is also available in toothpastes

and mouthwashes.

That's why dentists take care to educate parents about the correct

amount of toothpaste to use on the brush, proper brushing habits, and

the idea of spitting afterwards, Tompkins said.

The opponents believe there's a risk of more serious health problems

though that has never been conclusively proven in a medical study.

Dr. Robert Dickson, a family physician in Calgary leading the city's

anti-fluoride campaign, argues it is better to let citizens choose how

much fluoride they get, rather than administering it to everyone in

drinking water.

"Let's put it on there with brushing," Dickson suggested. "Let's put

it on at the dentist if you choose. Let's not put it inside our bodies

where it doesn't work."

Better dental care, such as fluoridated toothpaste, better diets that

include more calcium and phosphorus are improving dental health rather

than fluoridation itself, Dickson said.

To date, available evidence shows regions with fluoridation have fewer

cavities, though worldwide that gap is closing.

Provincial and territorial estimates of community water fluoridation

coverage in 2007

Province/Territory    Per cent with fluoridated water

British Columbia    3.7%

Alberta    74.7%

Saskatchewan    36.8%

Manitoba    69.9%

Ontario    75.9%

Quebec    6.4%

New Brunswick    25.9%

Nova Scotia    56.8%

Prince Edward Island    23.7%

Newfoundland and Labrador    1.5%

Nunavut    0.0%

Northwest Territories    56.4%

Yukon    0.0%

Canada 45.1%

The latest move in a long-simmering debate on fluoridation across the

country is happening in Calgary.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2011/01/25/fluoride-cities.html

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