No Small Risk
This paper assesses the risk posed by nanotech products in endangering human health. Material characteristics that have little bearing on health effects in bulk materials, such as surface area, may become important when trying to measure the hazard from trace amounts of nanomaterials. Nanotoxicologists may have to use a separate and unique set of metrics for determining what the safe exposure to various nanomaterials. The precision control that engineers have in making nanoscale materials may also amplify their effect. Naturally occurring nanoscale materials, such as particles formed in combustion exhaust, are formed over a wide range of sizes. Any given particle size will make up only a small part of the overall sample, diluting the potential ill effects. Nanoengineered materials come in a tight range of sizes. Research that helps lay out the basic parameters of the problem-figuring out which characteristics of nanoscale particles are most important.