No need to regulate

[dawn_pillsbury]

Yet another environmental threat that no one thought about until now. Seems that nanoparticles used in some commercial applications might be unfriendly to humans. How sad that government can't keep up. It might make a cynical person think that our system of regulatory controls was broken and something new was needed.

Comments

[a_steep_hill]

Environmental Building News did an article on this subject. It's in my reading queue. I'm sure it's not definitive -- it's too early for that -- but EBN generally has very high-quality reporting, so I expect the article to be good.

[ouraboros]

fyi, your nanoparticles link is broken...is this in reference to the silver nanoparticles as laundry detergent thing? I think this falls under USDA not FDA -- and the USDA is regulating it not as a detergent, but a pesticide

Regulation v. self-interest

[dawn_pillsbury]

Thanks for the heads up on my link. Regarding regulation of potentially harmful substances, it seems like the current regulatory framework is really broken. This is one of those fundamental problems between commerce and the state. The state moves slowly, and cannot keep up with quick-moving business. The wheels of both FDA and USDA approval grind slowly (though, of course, more quickly when well-greased). A well-informed consumer who is willing to do a lot of independent research can keep themselves safe, but it's the uninformed consumer who drives the regulations. I would think it would behoove pharmacompanies not to kill or harm their customers. But I guess not, thus the regulations.

Meth labs going out of business is good news. I'm not sure the near-ban on pseudoephedrine is worth it, or at least I really felt that way when a_steep_hill really needed some a few months ago.

Re: Regulation v. self-interest

[ouraboros]

Meth labs have an enormous environmental impact; think superfund site. So the mom-and-pop labs are mostly gone, to be replaced by that ever perennial Wal-Mart of every era, violent international gangs. These efficiently produce, distribute and enforce their turf. Mom-and-pops might have let a junkie get away with not paying them back; the gangs take their pound of flesh, just to make the point

Re: Regulation v. self-interest

[dawn_pillsbury]

I have a deep respect for the toxic byproducts of meth. The year I moved to Sonoma County a guy got convicted of running a meth lab. He was dumping the crap down a well. Can you believe it? And he got more punishment for the lab than poisoning the well. If anything warrants the death penalty...

The natural v. unnatural thing is highly weird. People will pay more for eggs that tout Omega-3s on the label. Fruit in shampoo. And yet, ephedra. People can't decide if they trust nature or science, I guess. And that makes sense, since both tend to be somewhat fickle.