(NHI Nanoblog) As U.S. consumers wait for a formal decision from the Environmental Protection Agency about nanosilver, a German government agency is reiterating its warnings about the super-small substance.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recently announced that it “continues to advise against a broad use of nanosilver in consumer products,” at least until much more is known about the potential effects of the material. Nano-sized silver particles are becoming increasingly common in workout clothing, since the silver has an antimicrobial effect.
The caution comes after a workshop that involved scientists, regulators and industry representatives, according to the announcement on the agency’s website.
Nanotechnology leverages super-small particles (a nanometer is a billionth of a meter) to create products with remarkable properties. These materials can make bike frames lighter and stronger and sunscreen more transparent on the skin, as well as new medical instruments and medicines that can save lives.
There is broad agreement that nanomaterials hold great promise for a wide variety of applications. But shrinking these substances can change their properties; scientists are struggling to figure out whether, how and why that shift can make them dangerous in the process.
The impact of nanosilver is one of the best-known question marks. Studies show that the silver particles leach into water, and even synthetic sweat. Particles have also been found in end-stage sewage sludge, raising concerns about long-term effects.
Because of silver’s antibacterial properties, scientists are now studying what it does to bacteria in soil and water.
The German agency said that because of broad open questions about safety, for both people and the environment, the material should be avoided for consumer products.
Here at home, the EPA announced almost a year ago that it is considering a “conditional registration” as a pesticide for one type of nanosilver. It’s unclear when a final decision will be made.
This is an interesting topic for sure, but why the nanotech focus on NHI? Just curious. This is not exactly hyper-local news.