Nano-pesticides

Atomic antibacterials in your food

By Culinate staff

December 4, 2008

Concerned about pesticides — in this case, the sci-fi-sounding product known as “nano-pesticides”? The International Center for Technology Assessment has filed a petition protesting the sale of “nano-silver consumer products” with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Nanoparticles — engineered particles so tiny they’re constructed at the molecular level — are used in hundreds of everyday consumer products as antibacterials. Because they’re so small, they can pass through human skin and get rinsed out of products into wastewater, potentially damaging both humans and the environment. Don’t want this stuff in pesticides and therefore in your food and environment? You’ve got until January 18, 2009, to submit comments on the petition via the EPA’s regulations website.