Public sees nanoparticle risk as low

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Public sees nanoparticle risk as low RALEIGH, N.C. (UPI) -- The public is relatively unconcerned about nanotechnology risks compared with other environmental and health safety threats, a U.S. study found. Researchers at North Carolina State University found that nanoparticles are perceived by most people as being a relatively low risk among a group of 24 public-health risks presented in the survey. "For example, 19 of the other public-health risks were perceived as more hazardous, including suntanning and drinking alcohol," Andrew Binder, an assistant professor of communications, said. "The only things viewed as less risky were cell-phone use, blood transfusions, commercial air travel and medical X-rays." Researchers asked those in the survey a battery of questions about how risky they believe nanoparticles are compared to 23 other public health risks, including obesity, smoking, using cellphones and nuclear energy, a university release said Tuesday. Sixty percent of respondents felt that nanoparticles pose either no health risk or only a slight health risk. Both proponents and opponents of nanotechnology have argued that the public is aware of its environmental health and safety dangers. "The findings suggest just the opposite," David Berube, professor of communication and lead author of the study, said. "While it remains unclear whether nanoparticles are safe, they are not a major concern among the general public." Copyright 2011 by United Press International
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Neurology of Iraq refugees studied BALTIMORE (UPI) -- A U.S. study found many Iraqi refugees, including the victims of torture and the disabled, are affected by brain and nervous system disorders. "There are an estimated 40 million displaced refugees worldwide and the number of Iraqi refugees continues to grow due to conflicts in the Middle East," Farrah Mateen at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore said. "Our study presents the first results of a large national pilot project by the United Nations to monitor neurological disease in displaced people." The research is being presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Honolulu. The research analyzed data on 36,953 registered Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers in Jordan in 2010, of which 7,621 received health assistance. A total of 1,295 refugees, or about 4 percent of all those registered, were reported to have a brain or nervous system disorder, the study found. The study found that 5 percent of refugees with brain or nervous system disorders reported having been tortured compared with 3.1 percent of those without a diagnosed disorder. "Our study highlights the great need for neurological health services, health education regarding neurological disorders and long-term disease management for refugees from war-torn countries," Mateen said. Copyright 2011 by United Press International
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Study: Scotland could halve emissions EDINBURGH, Scotland (UPI) -- Scotland could cut its greenhouse gas emissions by half in two decades using currently available practices and technologies, a university report says. The study by the University of Edinburgh said greener transport and cleaner power generation could help deliver big savings on carbon dioxide emissions in conjunction with smart meters for homes and businesses, improved recycling and greener building designs. The study authors urged carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions from carbon-intensive industry and coal-fired power plants, a university release said Tuesday. The study focused on actions that would be economically, socially and politically acceptable and that could be put in practice using regulatory or economic incentives. In a separate study, researchers found that some biofuels may not be a sustainable source of power for vehicles, since greenhouse gases emitted in producing crops for fuel may outweigh the benefits provided by a biofuel's low-carbon emissions. "These proposed alternative strategies may offer a more realistic, economically and politically acceptable way of reducing carbon emissions," David Reay, director of the University of Edinburgh's carbon management program said. Copyright 2011 by United Press International
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Shale gas seen as global warming factor ITHACA, N.Y. (UPI) -- Natural gas from shale formations has a greater greenhouse gas footprint than conventional gas, oil and coal over a 20-year period, U.S. researchers say. This footprint -- in the form of methane emissions -- calls into question the use of gas extracted from shale, often promoted as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Researchers from Cornell University evaluated the greenhouse gas footprint of natural gas obtained by high-volume hydraulic fracturing of shale formations -- often referred to as "fracking" -- and estimated methane emissions created by the process. They calculated during the life of an average shale-gas well, 4 percent to 8 percent of the total production of the well is emitted to the atmosphere as methane in routine venting and equipment leaks, as well as with flow-back return fluids during drilling following the fracturing of the shale formations, an article in the journal Climate Change Letters said. "The large greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas undercuts the logic of its use as a bridging fuel over coming decades, if the goal is to reduce global warming," Cornell researcher Robert Howarth said. "The full footprint should be used in planning for alternative energy futures that adequately consider global climate change." Copyright 2011 by United Press International
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