Living on Earth: Small Technology, Big Questions

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.loe.org/shows/shows.htm?programID=08-P13-00026#feature5

Small Technology, Big Questions

...

YOUNG: I'm shopping in a Korean grocery store in Germantown, Maryland, with scientist Andrew Maynard. Maynard has just one item on his shopping list.

MAYNARD: This is a toothpaste that is imported from Korea that uses nanosilver particles so we'll see if we can find it on the shelves here.

(GROCERY STORE NOISES)

YOUNG: Maynard studies nanotechnology for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. After a little poking around he finds toothpaste that claims that nanosilver will get your teeth cleaner.

MAYNARD: I don't know about this particular toothpaste but certainly silver as antimicrobial works very well. It's a very potent antimicrobial agent. Of course the question is if you have something so effective you have to work out how to use it sensibly how to use it wisely and that's what seems to be lacking at the moment.

...