Soybeans Susceptible to Man-Made Materials in Soil

[OKIsItJustMe]

(Please note, National Science Foundation press release - copyright concerns are nil.)

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?org=NSF&cntn_id=125233&preview=false

[font face=Serif]Press Release 12-153
[font size=5]Soybeans Susceptible to Man-Made Materials in Soil[/font]

[font size=4]Study says manufactured nanomaterials may be harmful to agricultural production[/font]

[font size=3]August 21, 2012

Researchers contend that manufactured nanomaterials--now popular in consumer products such as shampoos, gels, hair dyes and sunscreens--may be detrimental to the quality and yield of food crops, as reported in a paper in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Manufactured nanomaterials are man-made materials produced by manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Their effects on human health and the environment are the subject of much scientific study.

…

The researchers found that the two MNMs in their study--a cerium oxide powder (nano- CeO[font size=1]₂[/font]) and zinc oxide (nano-ZnO)--could profoundly alter soil-based food crop quality and yield.

Priester and colleagues monitored plant growth by measuring stem length, leaf count and leaf cover. Leaf cover estimates total leaf area, which is affected by water stress and metal exposure and can indicate plant health.

Most surprising to Priester was the high level of zinc in the leaves and beans of plants exposed to ZnO nanoparticles; the component metal was taken up and distributed throughout edible plant tissues. "Also, the shutdown of nitrogen fixation in root nodules at high CeO[font size=1]₂[/font] concentrations," he said, noting that nano-CeO2 diminished plant growth and yield.

In the case of the nano-ZnO treatment, the food quality was affected. In the case of the nano-CeO[font size=1]₂[/font], soil fertility was compromised.

"These results indicate broader risks to the food supply," the researchers write in the paper. They go on to say the environment could be affected even more since increased synthetic fertilizer would be required to offset lost nitrogen fixation, a process that soybeans and other legumes use to convert atmospheric nitrogen into natural fertilizer.

…[/font][/font]

http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1205431109

[OKIsItJustMe]

1. “Their effects on human health and the environment are the subject of much scientific study.”

First, use them in consumer products.

Then make them the subject of careful scientific study.

[Tumbulu]

2. "Innocent until proven guilty"

has worked really well for the big companies that put out products that have not been fully tested first.

This is why the Precautionary Principle" needs to be the norm.