EPA to Regulate a Form of Nanotechnology for the First Time
November 23, 2006 — By John Heilprin, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Consumer products using extremely small particles of silver to kill germs will need Environmental Protection Agency approval, part of the government's first move to regulate the burgeoning nanotechnology industry.
The EPA said Wednesday it was changing federal policy to require that manufacturers provide scientific evidence that their use of nanosilver won't harm waterways or public health.
Environmentalists and others are concerned that after the material is discarded and enters the environment, it may be killing helpful bacteria and aquatic organisms or even pose a risk to humans.
Nanosilver is used to kill germs in shoe liners, food-storage containers, air fresheners, washing machines and other products.
Silver is among the most common type of nanomaterials marketed to consumers, of which more than 200 now exist, according to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, which is funded by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
But the EPA doesn't plan to oversee most nanomaterials, which can be as small as one-millionth the width of a head of a pin. The Washington Post reported the EPA's decision in Thursday editions. The Washington-based Daily Environment Report published the first story on the decision Tuesday.
The aim of nanotechnology, in the commercial world, is to develop new products and materials by changing or creating materials at the atomic and molecular level. But much of the impacts from those developments remains unknown, particularly with regard to possible environmental and health problems.
The Food and Drug Administration also is considering whether to regulate nanotech products.
EPA officials decided a year ago that a major pesticide law, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, should not apply to washing machines because they were considered devices.
But after re-examining its decision and regulations, agency officials reversed course and decided "that the release of silver ions in the washing machines is a pesticide, because it is a substance released into the laundry for the purpose of killing pests," EPA spokeswoman Jennifer Wood said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"This is now being considered a pesticide," Wood said. "So it does have to be regulated under FIFRA."
Source: Associated Press
November 23, 2006 — By John Heilprin, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Consumer products using extremely small particles of silver to kill germs will need Environmental Protection Agency approval, part of the government's first move to regulate the burgeoning nanotechnology industry.
The EPA said Wednesday it was changing federal policy to require that manufacturers provide scientific evidence that their use of nanosilver won't harm waterways or public health.
Environmentalists and others are concerned that after the material is discarded and enters the environment, it may be killing helpful bacteria and aquatic organisms or even pose a risk to humans.
Nanosilver is used to kill germs in shoe liners, food-storage containers, air fresheners, washing machines and other products.
Silver is among the most common type of nanomaterials marketed to consumers, of which more than 200 now exist, according to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, which is funded by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
But the EPA doesn't plan to oversee most nanomaterials, which can be as small as one-millionth the width of a head of a pin. The Washington Post reported the EPA's decision in Thursday editions. The Washington-based Daily Environment Report published the first story on the decision Tuesday.
The aim of nanotechnology, in the commercial world, is to develop new products and materials by changing or creating materials at the atomic and molecular level. But much of the impacts from those developments remains unknown, particularly with regard to possible environmental and health problems.
The Food and Drug Administration also is considering whether to regulate nanotech products.
EPA officials decided a year ago that a major pesticide law, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, should not apply to washing machines because they were considered devices.
But after re-examining its decision and regulations, agency officials reversed course and decided "that the release of silver ions in the washing machines is a pesticide, because it is a substance released into the laundry for the purpose of killing pests," EPA spokeswoman Jennifer Wood said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"This is now being considered a pesticide," Wood said. "So it does have to be regulated under FIFRA."
Source: Associated Press
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Re: EPA to Regulate a Form of Nanotechnology for the First Time ie.Colloidal Silver
Mon, December 25, 2006 - 8:19 PMSo for those of us who use it to kill disease germs, it is an open admission that it works...and they don't want us to have it.
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Re: EPA to Regulate a Form of Nanotechnology for the First Time ie.Colloidal Silver
Thu, September 20, 2007 - 6:18 PMI believe that all this march for the cure crap is only to make people in high places more money because if you open your eyes there will NEVER be a cure for anything because either big pharma will make it too expensive, your health insurance won't cover it or it will be in a foreign country. Bottom line there WILL Never be a cure for anything, EVER. Mark my words people will be dying from all these disease forever , there will always be all these fucking foundation, groups, drugs AMA, FDA this crap and that to say we are "running, walking or whatever for the cure" but do you see anything that even looks like a cure? Look around you people are still dropping dead for shit that could of been cured, but big pharma like I said says fuck cures they don't make money. What makes money is hooking people on drugs and telling them that is the only way. These sick fucks are the disease, the people in power the people that make the little people aka those with no power feel helpless, those are the people that are the true diseases. -
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Re: EPA to Regulate a Form of Nanotechnology for the First Time ie.Colloidal Silver
Thu, September 20, 2007 - 9:08 PMNever, ever and forever are way too long for me to wait.
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Re: EPA to Regulate a Form of Nanotechnology for the First Time ie.Colloidal Silver
Sat, November 10, 2007 - 3:10 AM~~~ Mark my words people will be dying from all these disease forever ~~~
What pisses me off is this defeatist attitude.
You start from the bottom up and take control of the fucking politicians again. Its so fucking simple. Just fucking do it.
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