MODULE 10 – NANOTECHNOLOGY

1. Many sun blocks contain nanoparticles. If your sunblock rubs in clear, it might contain nanoparticles.
Nano-sized particles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are too small to reflect light, so they don’t leave
a white film on skin. The label will tell you the ingredients in your sunblock, but it doesn’t have to say
what size the particles are. Will you use sunblock in your skin? Do you think manufacturers should be
required to let you know if their products contain nanotechnology?
- Yes, using sunblock has its benefits but always make sure and be aware on the proper ways of
using the product.
Yes, the manufactures should let the people know what their products contain, in that way
their customers are aware of what is in the products they are using and that they are able to
know what to do and what to avoid.

2. Nanotechnology has many applications in personal care and medicine. Under what conditions should
you use nanotechnology applications in medicine and in personal care products?
- Nanotechnology offers the possibility for new and faster kinds of computers, more efficient
power sources and life-saving medical treatments. Nanomedicine is the application of
nanotechnology for medical purposes, and it is defined as the use of nanoparticles for illness
diagnosis, monitoring, control, prevention, and therapy. Nanotechnology is also being used
in cosmetics to keep our skin more youthful and provide protection from harmful sunlight.
They are mostly used as UV filters or preservatives. Nanoparticles affects the properties of
cosmetic products including color, transparency, solubility and chemical reactivity.

3. Nano-sized surveillance devices or tags are now as small as a dust and it is impossible to detect them
without special equipment. Once embedded in the body, people will lose their privacy. Would you
use a tiny tag to watch a rebellious teen? What about an elderly parent with Alzheimer’s?
- No, Teens can have rebellious stages and they need to be monitored but monitoring them
using a surveillance devices and watch them can be invading privacy and that will make it
more worse. Parents can help by opening up to them, as they are growing up, make them
realize what they are doing wrong, educate them and gain their trust so that you could
communicate better.
While an elderly parent with an Alzheimer’s is a different case, they are aging and
Alzheimer’s can be risky. Using a surveillance devices is for their safety, to control the risk of
them wandering outside their home, as it can be dangerous. But the elder’s privacy is still
important, so we should be checking or consult them first about these things before using it
on them.

4. Should we use nanotechnology? Why or why not? Explain your discourse in terms of risks and
benefits.
- Nanotechnology has the potential to drastically improve people's lives today and in the future.
It has been recognized as having the potential to improve energy efficiency, help clean up the
environment, and cure severe health problems. It is said that it will be able to completely
enhance manufacturing capacity at significantly lower costs. Nanotechnology has improved
many advancements that can benefit us and improve our society. Some of the benefits of
nanotechnology are the potential for new and faster kinds of computers, more efficient power
sources and life-saving medical treatments. Potential disadvantages include economic disruption
and possible threats to security, privacy, health and the environment.