Take two silver nanoparticles and call me in the morning

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Robert Oszakiewski

For decades after it was discovered, penicillin was used to combat bacteria and, eventually, almost every other disease, whether it was the appropriate treatment or not. Over time and over use of penicillin and its successor drugs, resistant strains of bacteria began to appear, to the point where, now, many strains of bacteria are almost completely drug resistant.

According to a recent article posted to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) site, nanosilver might become the 21st century's penicillin, being widely used in the medical field, but also in consumer products, such as combs, hair dryers,  men's socks, and underwear.

Some of this overuse of nanosilver is probably due to companies simply following trends and wanting to appear cutting edge or it may be due to marketing efforts that fall into the "All New!" category. Other companies may be adding nanosilver as part of a genuine effort to improve their products and make them healthier, although how much healthier underwear is with nanosilver as opposed to underwear without is a debate probably best left to others.

While a total ban on the sale of products containing nanosilver, which groups such as Friends of the Earth propose is unlikely, (and frankly seems more like simplistic fear mongering than anything else), regulations on the amount of nanosilver in consumer products, based on the results of reputable studies and tests on the effects on humans and bacteria of prolonged exposure to nanosilver particles are needed.

Personally, I'd start by regulating the amount of silver nanoparticles in men's underwear.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Nanotechnology Conference: Food & Drug Law Institute

Posted on January 15, 2009 by John C. Monica, Jr.

The Food & Drug Law Institute is holding its 2nd Annual Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy on February 18-19, 2009 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC.  Register here.

Topics include:

  • What progress is FDA making in implementing its Nanotechnology Task Force Report?
  • What can FDA learn from EPA and other oversight agencies the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)?
  • Will the Democratic Congress invest in and/or regulate nanotechnology more than under the Bush Administration?
  • Are workers exposed to asbestos-like dangers from dealing with nano products?
  • How does a responsible company devise a risk management plan for nanotech
  • development — one that takes into account OSHA and NIOSH policy?
  • What is reasonable and required federal funding for U.S nanotechnology R&D, including monies for safety and social policy research?
  • Are China and Japan ahead of the U.S. in nanotech development?
  • For nanotech products and processes, should particle size make a regulatory difference?
Tags: , , , , , ,

Nanotechnology: A New Weapon in the Battle Against Counterfeit Goods

Posted on June 1, 2007 by Michael E. Heintz

By Laurie N. Jacques:

Counterfeiting is widespread because it is lucrative and often difficult to detect. Nanowerk highlights the use of nanotechnology in the battle against counterfeit goods. Nanoencryption provides a new option for distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit goods, particularly pharmaceuticals.

Drug counterfeiting is particularly problematic because it compromises patient safety in addition to causing monetary losses and erosion of brand value. The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest estimates that counterfeit drug sales are growing at an annual rate of about 13% – nearly the twice the growth rate of genuine pharmaceutical products – and could reach $75 billion by 2010.

Anti-counterfeiting strategies rely heavily on supply chain monitoring and control, which may include the use of specially printed labels and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to identify products at the package level. These labels and tags are readily visible to counterfeiters who can then try to circumvent or replicate them. More importantly, their use is limited to tracking of package, not the package contents.

As the Nanowerk article explains, nanoencryption offers advantages in identification and monitoring of pharmaceutical products. Individual tablets of other unit doses may be tagged, not just the package that holds them and the tags are invisible to the naked eye. Authentication is quick and does not destroy the tablet so the tablet can be used later as evidence in a civil or criminal action. Nanoencryption also may be useful in authenticating other frequently counterfeited items such as currency, auto and aircraft parts, software, and luxury goods.
Tags: , , , ,