Science relating to Nanotechology,
Endocrine Disrupters and Electromagnetic
Radiation
Marion Palmer
Lovells Science Unit
Lovells LLP
Overview
• Nanotechnology
– Nanostructures & how nanotechnology works
– Applications
– Concerns and risks associated with nanotechnology
– Carbon nanotubes
Overview
• Endocrine Disrupters
– Endocrine system and hormones
– How endocrine disrupters work
– Sources of potential endocrine disrupters
– Concerns and risks associated with endocrine disrupters
– TBT and DES
Overview
• Electromagnetic Radiation
– EMF spectrum
– Electric and magnetic fields
– Low frequency magnetic fields
– Radiofrequency radiation
Nanotechnology
Lovells LLP
Definition
• No accepted definition at present
– Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and
manipulation of materials at atomic, molecular and
macromolecular scales, where properties differ
significantly from those at a larger scale.
– Nanotechnologies are the design, characterisation,
production and application of structures, devices and
systems by controlling shape and size at nanometre
scale.
Millimetre scale (1 m = 1000 mm)
ant and flea
• 5 mm
• 1mm
http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/resources/buzz_ant_06.pdf
www.nanotec.org.uk/report/chapter2.pdf
Micrometre scale (1 mm = 1000 µm)
eye of a fruit fly and a red blood cell
• 400 µm
• 7 µm
http://www.molbio1.princeton.edu/facility/confocal/sem/imagelist1.html
www.mta.ca/dmf/blood.htm
Nanometre scale (1 µm = 1000 nm) –
viruses & DNA
• 50 – 100 nm
• 2 nm
www.answers.com/topic/virus
http://www.gala-instrumente.de/images/deben_CCD_DNA.jpg
Nanostructures
• Nanoparticles
Nanostructures
• Carbon nanotubes and buckyballs
Nanostructures
• Quantum dots
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/update/quantumdots.htm
Nanostructures
• Non-carbon nanotubes
• Nanowires
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/05nano_image_gallery.htm
• Biopolymers
• Dendrimers
http://nano.med.umich.edu/projects/dendrimers.html
How does nanotechnology work?
• As objects get
smaller they have a
much greater
surface area to
volume ratio
10 cm cube has a
surface area of 600
cm2 and a volume
of 1000 cm3 (ratio =
0.6)
2 cm cube has
a surface area
of 24 cm2 and a
volume of 8 cm3
(ratio = 3)
How does nanotechnology work?
• At very small sizes quantum effects come into
play which can result in changes to a particles
magnetic, electric and optical properties.
http://www.omicron.de/index2.html?/re
sults/spin_polarized_tunneling_induce
d_luminescence_microcopy_sp_tilm/in
dex.html~Omicron
Applications
• Antibacterial effect of silver
www.nanotech-now.com
Applications
• Coatings - self-cleaning windows and stainproof
clothing
Applications
• Microchips
•http://ion.asu.edu/cool66_IC2/cool66_ic_thumb.htm
Applications
• Sun sunscreens and cosmetics
Applications
• Catalysts
– Envirox™ cerium oxide
• Nanoremediation
– SAMMS technology to remove
mercury
• Paper
– photographic paper
• Filters
– nanofibres
• Toothpaste
– to remineralise teeth
• Food
– packaging
• Paint
– improved adhesion and antifungal qualities/anti-graffiti
• Clothes
– non-staining and anti-radiation
• Batteries
– (Black & Decker) phosphate
nanocrystal technology
• Cleaning products
Future Applications
•
First Generation ~ 2001: Passive nanostructures
– Nano-structured coatings, nanoparticles, nanostructured metals, polymers,
ceramics, catalysts, composites, displays
•
Second Generation ~ Now: Active nanostructures
– Transistors, amplifiers, targeted drugs and chemicals, actuators, adaptive
structures, sensors, diagnostic assays, fuel cells, solar cells, high performance
nanocomposites, ceramics, metals
•
Third Generation ~ 2010: 3-D nanosystems and systems of nanosystems
– Various assembly techniques, networking at the nanoscale and new
architectures, Biomimetic materials, novel therapeutics/targeted drug delivery
•
Fourth Generation ~ 2015: Molecular nanosystems
– Molecular devices “by design”, atomic design, emerging functions
Why is there so much concern about
nanotechnology
• Currently not possible to detect most nanostructures
without sophisticated equipment
• Small size may result in greater dispersal than larger
structures
• Small size may result in particles passing into the body
more easily (inhalation, ingestion, absorption)
• May be more reactive due to surface area to volume
ratio
• May be processed differently by the body in comparison
to larger structures
• Greater potential to adsorb toxic chemicals
• Persistence
Potentials risks associated with
nanotechnology
• Adverse health effects in humans from deliberate or
accidental exposure
• Adverse effects on the environment from deliberate or
accidental exposure
• Potentially explosive properties of nanostructures
• “Grey goo”
• Futuristic scenarios
Toxicological difficulties
• No standardised terminology and method of
measurement
• All structures are likely to have a unique
toxicological profile
• Longevity of particles in the environment and
body are unknown
• Particle size may be less important than the
surface characteristics of the material
• Standard dose response may not be appropriate
Carbon nanotubes
http://www.nano-lab.com/nanotube-image.html
Example – Carbon Nanotubes
• Commercially produced by companies such as
Thomas Swan
• Very desirable product
http://www.tennis.com/yo
urgame/gear/racquets/babo
lat/babolat.aspx?id=56932
Potential applications of carbon nanotubes
Materials & Chemistry
- Ceramic and metallic CNT composites
- Polymer CNT composites (heat
conducting polymers)
- Coatings (e.g. conductive surfaces)
- Membranes and catalysis
- Tips of Scanning Probe Microscopes
(SPM)
Medicine & Life Science
- Medical diagnosis (e.g. Lab on a Chip
(LOC))
- Medical applications (e.g. drug delivery)
- Chemical sensors
- Filters for water and food treatment
Electronics & ICT
- Lighting elements, CNT based field
emission displays
- Microelectronic: Single electron transistor
- Molecular computing and data storage
- Ultra-sensitive electromechanical
sensors
- Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
(MEMS)
Energy
- Hydrogen storage, energy storage (super
capacitors)
- Solar cells
- Fuel cells
- Superconductive materials
Carbon nanotubes
• Have raised concerns due to a superficial
likeness to asbestos fibres and extreme
durability
• Potential exposures during manufacturing,
processing, product use and disposal
• Have been researched more than most
manufactured nanostructures
Research summary
•
Results have been variable dependent on dose, testing model, purity and
type of nanostructure
•
Research results to date:
– Some coated CNTs appear to move freely throughout the body (mice) whereas
others are rapidly excreted
– Installation experiments have shown inflammation and fibrosis
– Inhalation experiments have shown small changes in the lung
– Effects on the immune system
– Effects on cell growth and death
– Modification of tube coating by aquatic organisms