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

Wed Jan 26 14:51:58 EST 2011

CBC has posted an on-line poll for artificial water fluoridation:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/2011/01/fluoride-should-it-be-added-to-tap-water.html

CC

2011/1/26 Susan Koswan <dandelion at gto.net>

> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: pareto]*2080: The Return of Pareto*
>
> by Susan Koswan
>
> Treehuggers.
>
> The 80/20 Rule.
>
> One long weekend...
>
> *www.volumesdirect.com or  dandelion at gto.net *
>
> *In Waterloo Region bookstores and libraries. Now on Kindle!
> www.amazon.com*
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> All mailing list
> All at gren.ca
> http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20110126/fc906a3a/attachment.html>