Say “nanotechnology,” and geeks imagine
iPhones, laptops and flash drives. But more than 60 percent of the 580
products in a newly updated inventory of nanotechnology consumer
products are such “un-geeky” items as tennis
racquets, clothing, and health products.
Maintained 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.”
Since the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies launched the
world’s first online inventory of manufacturer-identified
nanotech goods in March 2006, the number of items has increased 175
percent—from 220 to 580 products. There are 356 products in
the health and fitness category—the inventory’s
largest category—and 66 products in the food and beverage
category. One of the largest subcategories is cosmetics with 89
products. All are available in shopping malls or over the Internet. The
list includes merchandise from such well-known brands as Samsung,
Chanel, Black & Decker, Wilson, L.L. Bean, Lancome and
L’Oreal.
The nanomaterial of choice appears to be silver - which
manufacturers claim is in 139 products or nearly 25 percent of
inventory - far outstripping carbon, gold, or silica.
“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,” said Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies science
advisor Andrew Maynard. “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.”
In an effort to jumpstart a conversation with consumers about
the possible benefits and risks of nanotechnology, the Project - in
collaboration with Consumers Union, the publishers of Consumer Reports
magazine and Consumer Reports Online - recently announced
ConsumersTalkNano. This exciting online dialogue will take place over
two days, October 23-24, 2007.
Any interested member of the public will be able to
communicate online throughout the two days (October 23-24) with
panelists from the Project, Consumers Union and others. In the
meantime, details about ConsumersTalkNano, nanotechnology, nano-enabled
consumer products, and related safety questions are available at www.nanotechproject.org.
To pre-register to participate in
ConsumersTalkNano go to: www.webdialogues.net/pen/consumer.