Risks and Concerns

The potential benefits are mind boggling and brain enhancing. But like many of the great advancements
in earth's history, Nano-Technology has associated risks and concerns.

Regulation
 Absence of regulatory oversight
- No legal requirement for manufacturers to conduct safety tests on Nano ingredients.
- No requirement to indicate Nano-scaled ingredients on product label.
- No internationally accepted nomenclature.

Health and Environmental

 Toxicity of Nano Particles
- Found in cosmetics, Nano carbon molecules called “fullerenes” damages human liver cells;
Nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide damages skin cells.
- Free roaming Nano particles can trigger intense chemical reactions when inhaled.
- Can bypass the body’s natural protective boundaries such as skin and brain’s barrier.
- Can have serious implications on health and safety of manufacturing workers.
- Can trigger chemical reactions in soil, interfering with biological and ecological processes.

Warfare
 Miniature Weapons and Explosives
- Development of miniature guns, explosives, and electronic components of missiles
 Disassemblers for Military Use
- Creation of Nano sized disassemblers to attack physical structures or even biological
organism at the molecular level.
 The Gray Goo Scenario
- Self replicating Nano machines endlessly self replicating like viruses due to problem with
limiting mechanism.
- Nano bots or Nano disassemblers disassembling every matter they encounter if got loose.

Surveillance and Privacy

 Monitoring and tracking
- Right to Privacy could be jeopardized; molecular sized microphones, cameras, and homing
beacons to monitor and track others.
In essence, the purpose of developing nanotechnology is to have tools to work on the molecular level
analogous to the tools we have at the macroworld level. It would not take much of a leap, then, to
imagine disassemblers dismantling garbage to be recycled at the molecular level, and then given to
assemblers for them to build atomically perfect engines.

Weapons
 Miniature Weapons and Explosives
Weapons are an obvious negative use of nanotechnology. Simply extending today's weapon
capabilities by miniaturizing guns, explosives, and electronic components of missiles would be
deadly enough.
 Disassemblers for Military Use
Armies could also develop disassemblers to attack physical structures or even biological organism at
the molecular level.

Rampant Nanomachines
 The Gray Goo Scenario
A similar hazard would be if general purpose disassemblers got loose in the environment and
started disassembling every molecule they encountered. This is known as "The Gray Goo Scenario."
 Self Replicating Nanomachines
Furthermore, if nanomachines were created to be self replicating and there were a problem with
their limiting mechanism, they would multiply endlessly like viruses.

Surveillance and Privacy

 Monitoring
 Tracking
It could be used to erode our freedom and privacy; people could use molecular sized microphones,
cameras, and homing beacons to monitor and track others.
The most immediate challenge in nanotechnology is that we need to learn more about materials and
their properties at the nanoscale. Nanotechnology is a new scientific application. Although this can also
mean to be a benefit for mankind, there are safety concerns related to its applications mainly because
of the fact that it is something that is not yet fully tested. there is still no legal requirement anywhere in
the world for manufacturers to conduct new safety tests on nano-scale ingredients. Nor is there any
requirement for manufacturers to demonstrate that they do not present a negative impact to the
environment or to indicate the presence of nano-scale ingredients on product labels. In fact, there is not
even an internationally accepted nomenclature, set of definitions and measurement systems for
nanotechnology, although that is being worked on.

1) Because elements at the nanoscale behave differently than they do in their bulk form, there's a
concern that some nanoparticles could be toxic. Some doctors worry that the nanoparticles are
so small, that they could easily cross the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects the
brain from harmful chemicals in the bloodstream. If we plan on using nanoparticles, we need to
be sure that they won't poison us. A 2007 survey by 15 governments estimates there are at least
70 nanotech food-related applications already on the market. They include sunscreens and
cosmetics, food additives, temperature-moderating clothing, food packaging, agricultural
fertilizers, computer chips and mobile phones, inks, computer storage devices and displays,
football stadium lights, tennis racquets, burn dressings and dental binding agent. Nanoparticles
are so small they can sometimes bypass the body’s natural protective boundaries such as skin.
2) Closely related to the knowledge barrier is the technical barrier. In order for the incredible
predictions regarding nanotechnology to come true, we have to find ways to mass produce
nano-size products like transistors and nanowires. While we can use nanoparticles to build
things like tennis rackets and make wrinkle-free fabrics, we can't make really complex
microprocessor chips with nanowires yet.
3) Nanotechnology may also allow us to create more powerful weapons, both lethal and non-
lethal. Some organizations are concerned that we'll only get around to examining the ethical
implications of nanotechnology in weaponry after these devices are built. They urge scientists
and politicians to examine carefully all the possibilities of nanotechnology before designing
increasingly powerful weapons. There is also a concern that nanotechnology will provide the
tools for continuous surveillance, with implications for civil liberties. And then there’s the
growing nano arms race, which could create a whole new generation of weapons of mass
 destruction including nano-biological weaponry. Over a decade ago, retired U.S. Admiral David
Jeremiah told a conference on nanotechnology and global security that nanotechnology will
prove more significant than nuclear weapons. It conceivably could enable cheaper and more
destructive conventional weapons. Also, molecular nanotechnology might permit weapons of
mass destruction that could self-replicate, as viruses and cancer cells do when attacking the
human body. A fear exists that nanomechanical robots, if achieved, and if designed to self-
replicate using naturally occurring materials (a difficult task), could consume the entire planet in
their hunger for raw materials,[38] or simply crowd out natural life, out-competing it for energy
(as happened historically when blue-green algae appeared and outcompeted earlier life forms)
4) If nanotechnology in medicine makes it possible for us to enhance ourselves physically, is that
ethical? In theory, medical nanotechnology could make us smarter, stronger and give us other
abilities ranging from rapid healing to night vision. Should we pursue such goals? Could we
continue to call ourselves human, or would we become transhuman -- the next step on man's
evolutionary path? Since almost every technology starts off as very expensive, would this mean
we'd create two races of people -- a wealthy race of modified humans and a poorer population
of unaltered people?
5) Not all questions involve altering the human body -- some deal with the world of finance and
economics. If molecular manufacturing becomes a reality, how will that impact the world's
economy? Assuming we can build anything we need with the click of a button, what happens to
all the manufacturing jobs? If you can create anything using a replicator, what happens to
currency? Would we move to a completely electronic economy? Would we even need money?
6) Products containing nanomaterials have been released commercially in the absence of
regulatory oversight and in spite of warnings from some of the oldest and most respected
scientific bodies in the world, such as the U.K.’s Royal Society and the Royal Academy of
Engineering, which published a report in 2004 urging tighter controls on the industry, suggesting
that nanomaterials be treated like new chemicals. In particular, the report highlighted the
potential risk of “free” nanoparticles that it said could escape into the atmosphere, be inhaled
and have an effect on health, in the same way that ultra fine particles that are a byproduct of
forest fires, volcanoes and processes like welding and vehicle combustion can be harmful to
health. According to a 2006 report prepared under the auspices of the U.S. Congress by that
country’s National Research Council, there is also evidence that engineered nanoparticles can
have adverse effects on the health of laboratory animals, enter human cells and trigger chemical
reactions in soil, interfering with biological and ecological processes. That report also urged
precaution to protect the health and safety of workers, the public and the environment.
Nowhere are untested nanomaterials entering consumer products faster than in the personal
care and cosmetics industries. And their use is of concern because these products are used daily
and are designed to be used directly on the skin. They may be inhaled and are often ingested.
While the jury is still out on whether nanomaterials can enter intact skin, studies show that
broken skin is an ineffective barrier. This suggests that the presence of acne, eczema or shaving
wounds is likely to enable the uptake of nanoparticles into the body. Nano-scale carbon
molecules called “fullerenes” or “buckyballs” are among the ingredients currently being used in
face creams and moisturizers. They have been found to cause brain damage in fish. Even low
levels of exposure to fullerenes have been shown to damage human liver cells. Nanoparticles of
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used to make sunscreens transparent but, says FOE, they
 have been shown to be photoactive, producing free radicals and causing DNA damage to skin
cells when exposed to UV light. In 2007, Consumer Reports asked an outside lab to test for
nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in eight sunscreens that listed either compound
on their label. All eight contained the nanoparticles, yet only one disclosed their use.
Nanopollutants are nanoparticles small enough to enter your lungs or be absorbed by your skin.
Nanopollutants can be natural or man-made. Nanoparticles are used in some of the products
found on shelves today, like anti-aging cosmetics and sunscreen. The highest risk is to the
workers in nano-technology research and manufacturing processes.
7) Free range, self-replicating robots that consume all living matter. However unlikely, experts say
this scenario is theoretically possible, but not for some time. Grey Goo
8) normally harmless particles can trigger intense chemical reactions and biological damage when
they are produced at the nanoscale and then inhaled. For example, while particles of gold are
relatively safe, nanoparticles of gold are actually chemically reactive, and have the potential to
disrupt biological pathways.
9) For example, titanium dioxide, a generally non-reactive substance used in common products like
lotion or house paint, becomes reactive when used at the nanoparticle level. At the nano level,
they can burn bacteria. Similarly, these nanoparticles can accumulate in animal organs leading
to unanticipated consequences to animals which might be passed on to people.
10) how safe forms of nanotechnology could be used unethically to invade an individual's privacy.
11)

The fundamental properties of matter change at the nanoscale. According to research conducted at the
University of Rochester’s Department of Environmental Medicine and published in Environmental
Health Perspectives in 2005, altered properties can include color, solubility, material strength, electrical
conductivity, magnetic behavior, mobility (within the environment and within the human body),
chemical reactivity and biological activity.

A major concern regarding nanoparticles is that they might not be detectable after release into the
environment, which in turn can create difficulties if remediation is needed. Therefore, analysis methods
need to be developed to detect nanoparticles in the environment that accurat

Like exposure of workers and consumers, the exposure of the environment is currently largely unclear
due to the absence of essential information on the type, distribution and use of nanomaterials. Likewise,
little is known about the direct use of nanomaterials in the environment (e.g. treatment of waste water,
restoration of soils or pest control). In addition, the growing use of synthetic nanoparticles is likely to
lead to increased releases to the environmental media soil, water and air in the future. Research
findings on the behaviour and impact of natural ultrafine dust or ultrafine dust formed during
incineration can only be partially applied to the risks of engineered nanoparticles. Further studies are
needed for the adequate assessment of potential risks. Nanoparticles formed “naturally” vary
considerably in form, composition and size whereas artificially - "intentionally" - engineered
nanoparticles are normally manufactured and designed in a uniform way based on desired properties.
The wide application possibilities for nanotechnology and the highly diverse nanoparticles require a
differentiated approach when it comes to assessing a possible threat to the environment. When
assessing the exposure risk for nanoparticles, the decisive factor is the form in which these materials
come into contact with humans and the environment. Key information concerns how nanoparticles
released from materials behave in the environment, how stable and long-lived these forms are, whether
they for instance disintegrate or agglomerate, are soluble in water or body fluids, interact with other
nanoparticles, chemicals, surfaces or are degraded and how their properties change in these processes.
Given their small size nanoparticles can be widely distributed by air. In soil, because of their large, active
surfaces, nanoparticles can bind and mobilise pollutants like heavy metals or organic substances and
therefore pose a threat to ground water. Stable nanoparticles can enter living cells and possibly
accumulate there. So far no findings have been reported about how organic nanomaterials are degraded
in the environment. Fullerenes very rarely occur naturally, and nanotubes are not naturally occurring
carbon modifications and they are stable. There are no indications about whether and how these carbon
nanomaterials are degraded, disintegrated, aggregated.

And that is simply because of the fact that under the current rules, companies have the discretion to
determine whether a substance already considered safe in its usual (macro-scale) form is also safe in its
nano-scale form.

To start off I would say that the biggest concern is that there is still no legal requirement anywhere in
the world for manufacturers to conduct safety tests on nanoscale ingredients. Nor is there any
requirement for manufacturers to demonstrate that they do not present a negative impact to the
environment. Further the companies are not even legally required to indicate the presence of nanoscale
ingredients on product labels.

Currently, nanotechnology is incorporated into a large variety of consumer and health goods, such as
food, food packaging, sunblock, chemical fertilizers and animal feed. None of these products have
undergone a pre-market safety assessment. And that is simply because of the fact that under the
current rules, companies have the discretion to determine whether a substance already considered safe
in its usual (macro-scale) form is also safe in its nano-scale form.

Applications of ENMs include making toxins more bio-available in pesticides, targeting nutrients in
smaller doses, improving the texture of ice cream and detecting bacteria in packaged foods. Specifically
addressing food and agriculture applications of nanotechnology—e.g., coating fruits and vegetables to
preserve shelf life—the report details possible hazards to human health and the environment if they are
marketed without pre-market safety assessment and post-market surveillance.