To most people, Nanotechnology is new.  But it really isn’t.  Nanotechnology as a name is relatively new, but what has been done is not.  Nanotechnology was done in the Roman times – though, we know for a fact that is not what they called it, and that they probably didn’t realize they were doing nanotechnology.  But when something is new, the unknown causes fear.  Fear that is not always justified.  When people have information, then there is less fear.  And the same should be said about nanotechnology.  After all – nanotechnology is all around and has been for many years.  It is just now, as a science, we are starting to have an understanding of it.  Note, I said starting, because as a field of study, it is new.

The CDC Public Health Grand Rounds did this panel discussion on Preventing Adverse Health Effects from Nanotechnology. This was recorded April 15, 2010.

Nanotechnology is the science of developing materials at the atomic, molecular or micro-molecular level. From smartphones to skincare, there are currently over 1,000 commercial products containing nanomaterials, with applications as far ranging as the fields of medicine, engineering, electronics and energy production.

This session of Public Health Grand Rounds focused on the current state of knowledge in nanotechnology and discussed concerns about the harmful impact that exposure to some nanomaterials may have on humans and the environment.

This is a good presentation and only an hour and ten minutes long.  If you want further information on how to bring Nanotechnology to your courses, or more information about nanotechnology, visit NACK’s nano4me.

Mark Viquesney