Dr. Scott Rickert, President of the nanotechnology company Nanofilm,
recently took the media to task for sensationalist stories on nanotechnology
and the environment. In Taking the Nanopulse, his monthly column for IndustryWeek.com,
Dr. Rickert cited news stories linking the lung problems of Chinese factory
workers to spray paints infused with nanoparticles. Early reports were later
countered with information about working conditions far below the safety standards
in the United States, including lack of basic respiration protection.
Dr. Scott Rickert is President and CEO of Nanofilm which has been developing performance enhancing nanofilms, nanocomposite films and surface care products since 1985.
Dr. Rickert comments, “These women worked in an 8’ x 10’
room with no windows and a door that was kept closed during the five months
just prior to their illness. The sprayer’s vent was broken and accumulated
dust particles were evident in the exhaust vent.” He added, “…when
you get all the information, you’ll see that nanotechnology may be the
least of the problems.”
Dr. Rickert also reminds reader that nanotechnology research is a priority
for U.S. leaders. “Continuous research on the topic is being done, funded
by the likes of the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health,
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, the Departments of Energy and the Department of Defense,”
he says.
Dr. Rickert concludes, “So, let’s drop the scare tactics and get
on with writing the next chapter in the nano-story. Nanotechnology is revolutionizing
the world around us -- energy, transportation, medicine, electronics.”
The full column can be read at the Nanofilm website or IndustryWeek.com
Nanofilm, co-founded by Dr. Rickert in 1985, makes performance-enhanced nanofilms,
nanocomposite films and surface care for the optical, transportation, energy,
sports and other markets. A frequent speaker at nanotechnology conferences,
he most recently addressed the Nanotech Business Summit in Cairo, Egypt, in
December, 2009, on the topic “Nano-izing Today's Surfaces to Solve Energy,
Environmental, And Waste Problems.” Nanofilm is a privately held company
with headquarters in Valley View, Ohio, near Cleveland.