Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Some good news about the nation’s coastal waters was published this week; even if it was old news. A 20-year study, which began in 1986 and ended in 2005, found ‘overall’ levels of 140 chemicals had decreased.
Not so much specifically, but generally. Overall.
The lead scientist of the NOAA project, Gunner Laurenstein says, “Different regions have different stories“. Overall the news is good; DDT is down, PCB’s are also down during the 20 years between 1986 and 2005. Areas near large urban centers are still suffering, but we’ll take any good news we get. But, we’re headed toward 2009 in a few scant months, so isn’t the good news nearly 4 years old already?
This report come out of the Mussel Watch program which is the longest continuous contaminant monitoring program in U.S. coastal waters. Mussels and oysters accumulate all kinds of contaminants in their fatty tissue making them a treasure trove of information.
But, what about “Nanoparticles”?
Nanoparticles, now becoming ubiquitous, are being used in everything from socks and teddy bears to shower tiles.
Nanoparticles are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, one-millionth of a millimeter, and there’s plenty of scientists concerned nanotechnology’s affects on humans and marine life have not been adequately studied.
Fish swimming in water containing only modest amounts of one type of nanoparticle, showed a large increase in brain damage. I know what you’re thinking and before you even ask; how do they measure fish IQ, watch this video!
Goldfish training kit
Please hand me my tinfoil hat; it’s over there the corner with my antimicrobial socks.
EPA started a voluntary reporting program called the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program. This program was started in January and so far a whooping 2 companies have submitted data. There are 135 companies that supply 1,955 different nanoparticles worldwide. Those numbers suggest to me there are probably zillions of items being produced using nanoparticles. And, the public has no idea what they are and what the outcome will be as a result of their use.
Take for example; silver nanoparticles. These are now used in antimicrobial socks! Socks…socks that keep feet from stinking. In April, scientists at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans tested 6 different kinds of socks all containing silver nanoparticles. When washed in room-temperature water, some socks released all of the silver nanoparticles they contained; others released none. These silver nanoparticles are so miniscule, one-millionth of a milimeter, no water treatment facilities can filter them out. These particles are ending up in our rivers, lakes and seas. We still know little about the consequences of nanoparticles leching into our environment.
There is no technology for monitoring potential nano-pollutants in the environment.
A few not so novel ideas!
If you find you simply cannot live with a white sofa that won’t show red wine spills, because it coated with nanoparticles, try cutting yourself off after one glass or switch to white wine.
If limescale on your shower tiles makes you crazy, instead of buying tiles coated with nanoparticles, use a squeegee after you shower…it takes about 30 seconds.
If your feet stink…try using a little soap on them, in your nanoparticle free shower. While you’re at it; wash behind those ears. We don’t want any genetically modified potatoes sprouting up back there!
And,never underestimate the capacity of the mind. Even when it’s in a fish.
Labels: antimicrobial, nanoparticles, nanoscale materials stewardship program, silver nanoparticles, trained goldfish, video
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
Good News About Coastal Waters and Some Chemicals, but what about nanoparticles?
