Cement Energy and Environment

Albupax, a nano-based Nanoparticles accumulate in medicine for breast cancer. US the environment and kill the firm Abraxis BioScience had beneficial bacteria. A study by complained against the maker Iowa State University in the US Natco Pharma of Hyderabad, found that nanotitanium dioxide saying the drug damaged liver. particles interfere with the The generic failed the DCGI test. genetic functioning of zebrafish The same year deaths of embryos. two factory workers were Safety around the world reported in China. At least six workers of the same factory While the world lags in developed serious lung ailments. concrete nanotech-specific regulations, Australia has shown Rese_archers at Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing linked these the way. In May this year, t t . d · h 1 t· f teachers in the state of Victoria o con 1nue 1n a a 10n o urged schools to ban nanoparticles. The factory was sunscreens that contain making paint with nanoparticles. nanoparticles. "In medicines nano particles In August this year, the are so tiny that they can pass Danish Enviromental Protection through the blood-brain barrier," Agency (EPA) released risk says Barry Castleman, profiles of nanoparticles used in environment engineer and many consumer products. consultant. "They are toxic, but this is little understood". Carbon To understand the impact of EPA, through its Toxic Substances Control Act, keeps a tab on the manufacturing of nano-based products in the country. European Commission's REACH, a regulatory framework for chemicals, has not suggested a policy that covers nanomaterials, but it does call them substances that need to be tested . Nidhi Srivastava at The Energy and Resources Institute in Delhi says, "There's concern that the procedures REACH has outlined for testing may not be sufficient." The European Commission has not come up with a policy on nanomaterial safety, but it has definitely been instrumental in initiating a debate on the issue, she says. Roadblocks ahead Regulation is essential, but as graphite used in pencils is nanoparticles on human health, ~~----------~----------------~---------. innocuous, he is also difficult. says. But carbon nanotubes show alarming similarities to asbestos. Nanoparti– cles of zinc and titanium oxide damage DNA in cell lines, found IITR. The two are important constituents of sunscreen lotions. Indiscrimi- nate use of nanosilver is detrimental to children's immune system, found Friends of All around us the Earth, an international environmental non-profit. Nanosilver has anti-bacterial properties. But its unrestricted use weakens children's ability to fight infections. TROU!> ERS TOitaSW!!>Ct> ls a nano.sllver ba~d W!lle.– purofter. Neoosolver has btl en found toxic in rat Uv er oells CAN CER DRUGS l. W ASHING MAC HINE S Sams~.ng·s fully automOllie macHnehas nenosl ver parll– cles. Sliver's mtl-btocterlal po"Oj>erly kHis bacteota In clothes, the company claims Non-protlt Friends of the eeolh has asked lor Its recan as nanosllver has an edverse effed on human cells .VI/hen leaked Intoenvironment Itcen kHI bene– ftdel bacteria "Nanoparticles behave differently in different products," says Srivastava. Nanosilver, for instance, behaves differently in a washing machine than in paint. Regulatory bodies, therefore, have to develop a framework that encompasses this aspect of nanomaterial. DoST should now facilitate a dial ogue among the concerned the US Food and Drug Administrator (FDA) established a nanotechnology taskforce in 2006. In January this year, it issued draft guidelines on safe use of nanoparticles in consumer products. The US departments to formulate a sound policy, she adds. Courtesy: Down to Earth, October 1-15, 2011,Pp 9- 10 4