Posted on 02/06/2007 10:03:25 AM PST by Red Badger
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- The U.N. called Monday for tighter regulation on technology to change or create materials at the atomic and molecular level, a process being used to develop new drugs, foods and other commercial products.
In its annual report of the global environment, the U.N.'s Environment Program said ''swift action'' was needed by policy makers to properly evaluate the new science of nanotechnology.
Although nanotechnology could transform electronics, energy industries and medicine, more research is needed to identify environmental, health and socio-economic hazards, Achim Steiner, who heads UNEP, said in the 87-page report.
The report was released on the opening day of the Global Ministerial Environment Forum, which brought nearly 100 environmental ministers and deputy ministers to Nairobi for the annual conference.
''This is a phenomenally rapidly expanding technology, but as yet we do not know what we are releasing into the atmosphere,'' Steiner told journalists, adding that there are no regulations in place specifically to monitor nanotechnology.
Denmark's Environment Minister Connie Hedegaard told journalists that the European Union had set up a number of scientific commissions to look into the effects of nanotechnology and to decide what kind of regulation should be applied.
Nanotechnology is technology on the scale of a billionth of a meter, or about one 80,000th of the width of a human hair: the scale of atoms and molecules. The prefix comes from ''nanos,'' the Greek word for dwarf.
Nanotechnology materials are being developed for use in drugs, foods, cosmetics and medical devices. Nanomaterials are already used to make stronger tennis rackets, clothes that are stain-resistant and self-cleaning windows.
Priority must be given to assessing the potential risks of nanomaterials already being mass-produced, UNEP said in its report.
Critics say the science opens a Pandora's box, saying free-roaming nanoparticles or nanotubes -- ultra-small pieces of material -- could be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or build up in the environment.
People already breathe in millions of nanoparticles a day; critics say it is unclear whether the chemicals the particles are made of are harmful.
Although still in its infancy, the nanotechnology industry is booming.
By 2014, nanotechnology is projected to capture 14 percent of the US$2.6 trillion (euro2 trillion) global manufacturing market, UNEP says. In 2004 it made up less than 0.1 percent.
UNEP says in its report that it remains unclear what nanoparticles will do when released into the earth's atmosphere, water or soil.
The agency is calling for global test protocols and greater cooperation between private- and public-sector industries and between the developing and industrialized world. UNEP also wants public education about nanotechnology to raise awareness and provide information on the potential benefits and risks.
FU UN.
"...more research is needed to identify environmental, health and socio-economic hazards..."
A solution in search of a problem. The UN needs to keep the hell out of my life.
Why is a nanotechnology conf. being held in Kenya of all places???
They could walk a couple doors down the hall to the Global Warming Committee offices. They know everything about the atmosphere.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1563271/posts
Healthy People 2010
Before Bill Clinton left office, he authorized 2001 an 84% increase in the government's investment in nanotechnology research and development, National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and made it a top priority. (snip)
This sentence put a wry smile on my face:
People already breathe in millions of nanoparticles a day....
Oh, really?
See here:
This review considers the molecular toxicology of combustion-derived nanoparticles (CDNP) following inhalation exposure. CDNP originate from a number of sources and in this review we consider diesel soot, welding fume, carbon black and coal fly ash.
All products of "new" science, never before encountered by Man....
This is the key.
no what is happening is that we are leaving the age of steel and entering the age of nanocomposit material.
Just as jets are now spun form composits, we have a world which is only now getting into the age of alloy metals.
This is about hobbling the USA.
Snicker. I'll bet the U.N. sits around in New York watching the Sci-Fi Channel (on our nickel, too!).
Go fluff and fold yourselves, turkeys.
The UN needs to go to hell or Uganda.
So the UN can take their cut of the action.
Instead of Oil for Food, we'll have Oil for Nanotechnology.
I'd prefer Uganda. Set up some cameras and watch 'the real world'.
Nope. The UN wants the power to make sure "the right people" win.
The want the power to sell favors.
The Useless Nations trying to find something they do do that is relevant.
This isn't it.
Michael Crichton wrote an interesting novel on this subject a few years ago. I believe it was called "Prey."
http://72.41.29.228/cgi-bin/messageboard-mc/ultimatebb.cgi
This is one of loony Prince Charlie's favorite bogeymen. The "grey goo" of nano-tech getting out in the wild and out of control and dissolving everything.
He's just a nut job, albeit one with a very big megaphone. These UN bureaucrats are simply out for power and a potential way to either apply a global tax or get in on the graft.
Well compared to other countries on the "Dark Continent" Kenya isn't as bad as the others...
Perhaps he's afraid they'll crawl up his nose...........
It is no more complicated than that. bttt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.