Tech Shout!

When one uses the term “nanotechnology”, mobile phones, laptops and such consumer products come to most of our minds. Byt the reality is that over 60 percent of the 580 devices in a newly updated inventory of nanotechnology consumer products are such anything but tech-related products such as tennis racquets, clothing, and health products.

Managed by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at www.nanotechproject.org/consumerproducts, the updated inventory includes Head NanoTitanium Tennis Racquets, Eddie Bauer Water Shorts with Nano-Dry technology, Nano-In Foot Deodorant Powder/Spray, and Burt’s Bees sunscreen with “natural Titanium Dioxide mineral…micronized into a nano sized particle.”

The world’s first online inventory of manufacturer-identified nanotech goods was introduced in March 2006 by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. Since then the number of items has risen by 175 percent, from 220 to 580 products. The inventory’s largest category is that of “health and fitness”, having 356 products. This main category has “cosmetics” as its subcategory with 89 items in it. Merchandises from big names such as Samsung, Chanel, Black & Decker, Wilson, L.L. Bean, Lancome and L’Oreal feature in the list and these products are available in shopping malls or over the Internet.

Surpassing carbon, gold, or silica Mostly, the nanomaterial of choice is in silver, which manufacturers claim is in 139 products or almost 25 percent of inventor.

Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies science advisor Andrew Maynard said, “The use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in consumer products and industrial applications is growing rapidly, and the products listed in the inventory are just the tip of the iceberg.” Adding, “How consumers respond to these early products—in food, electronics, health care, clothing and cars—will be a bellwether for broader market acceptance of nanotechnologies in the future. This is especially true given that the Project’s recent poll shows seventy percent of the public still knows little or nothing about the technology.”

“ConsumersTalkNano” – an online dialogue is slated to take off on October 23-24, 2007. This conversation with customers will help in elucidating the potential advantages and risks of nanotechnology. The Project, in alliance with Consumers Union, the publishers of Consumer Reports magazine and Consumer Reports Online.

All interested members of the public will be able to communicate online all through the two days (October 23-24) with panelists from the Project, Consumers Union and others. www.nanotechproject.org has details about ConsumersTalkNano, nanotechnology, nano-enabled consumer products, and related safety questions.

To pre-register to participate in ConsumersTalkNano and to find out more about nanotechnology, visit www.webdialogues.net/pen/consumer.