Quick loans for better product testing
Does the EPA need quick loans of some good, common sense, I ask you? Sometimes, cleaning and disinfecting can go too far. It can go so far that immediate action is required to cleanup the cleanup. Such is the case with germ-killing nano-silver.
The Center For Food Safety’s True Food Network Web site urges concerned Americans to lobby their elected officials and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about this potentially dangerous substance that is found in scores of household products. Nano-silver appears in over 300 products currently, from appliances, clothing and cutlery to toys, product packaging and more. In total, many of the current products containing nano-silver are marketed toward children. Quick thinking loans itself to the theory that children are even being targeted by such products, simply because of the germ-killing potential. But it is simply too much of a risk, potentially.
According to True Food Network, studies have shown that “nano-silver can harm fish and aquatic ecosystems, potentially interfere with beneficial bacteria in our bodies and the environment, encourage the development of more virulent harmful bacteria, and directly interact with our genes, interfering with DNA replication.” Yet there has been no official safety testing done by the agency that is charged with protecting the health of American citizens!
What is nano-silver?
Nanoparticle silver (“nano-silver”) is advertised as having germ killing abilities. It’s a product of micro-sized nanotechnology, a technology powerful where matter can be reconstructed on the atomic and molecular levels. While vaguely related to regular silver, scientists tend to agree that nano-silver is rather different and it, like other nanoparticles, should be safety tested before humans are exposed to products that contain it. Despite little or no testing, nanotechnology continues to make advances in the consumer market. Now, nano-silver is the most common commercialized nano-material – and the full health and environmental impacts of the substance are unknown!
It is known that silver itself is an environmental hazard, and nano-silver may release silver into the environment. However, much more informative study is needed.
The EPA has authority over all substances intended to kill pests such as germs, and because of this, nano-silver has been brought to their attention as a possible problem. Yet the EPA has done little, and the nano-silver market continues to grow.
It isn’t even labeled clearly
Since so little is known about nano-silver, there are no requirements about labeling products that contain the substance. Groups like the Center For Food Safety are currently petitioning the EPA to not only label such products accurately, but more importantly to begin testing to determine whether it is safe. During this testing phase, they call for all products containing nano-silver to be pulled from shelves.
For the sake of every consumer, particularly our children, the Environmental Protection Agency must act now. It is my sincere hope that nobody has to take their child to the ER in the middle of the night. Toxic shock or any other type of impairment is a great expense in life first, dollars second. Quick loans can help with the second, but even they will only go so far.
The EPA and the FDA both have been guilty of cover ups in the past, and I certainly hope that there aren’t any serious long term effects. Heavy metal poisoning is not funny. The treatment is expensive and a long process, and very unpleasant. If they are going to approve all these products then they should foot the bill for any ill effects on people’s health.