Museum of Science, Boston

Events & Activities

Nanotechnology in Cambridge: What Do You Think?

Forum [Return to listing page]
Skyline Room

The zip file listed below under "documents" contains the agenda, background information, discussion activity, and poll results from this forum.

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In this forum, presented in collaboration with the Cambridge Public Health Department, participants discussed the use of nanotechnology in consumer products and made recommendations on whether and how the City of Cambridge should regulate these items.

The emerging field of nanotechnology promises potentially world-changing applications. Tiny particles being engineered today in laboratories could help to slow down climate change, provide clean water to millions of people in developing countries around the world, create replacement skin for burn victims, or carry cancer therapies directly into sick cells.

However, there is still considerable uncertainty about the safety of materials produced by nanotechnology. Nanomaterials may present yet-unknown health risks, but some consumer products such as washing machines, cosmetics, sunscreens, and adhesive bandages containing nano-sized particles are already sold around the world. Unlike medications and laboratory research studies, these consumer products are not currently regulated by most local or national governments.

The City of Cambridge is one of the first U.S. cities to consider making its residents aware of the presence and potential risks of nanomaterials in consumer products. Should retailers be required to inform customers of possible risks from products containing nanoparticles? Or, should the city teach people in schools and community centers about the possible risks of nanotechnology?

Participants received a briefing from experts in the field of nanotechnology, public health officials, and social scientists who study the social and ethical implications of science and technology:

"Overview of Nanotechnology," Tim Miller, Museum of Science nanotechnology educator

"Nanotechnology and Consumer Products," Todd Kuiken, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars

"Cambridge and Emerging Technologies," Sam Lipson, Cambridge Public Health Department

The forum presumed no previous knowledge or familiarity with nanotechnology. Participants discussed and evaluated a selection of actual consumer products and, using a text message voting system, made recommendations on what steps, if any, the city should take to regulate them. The Museum displayed the recommendations in real time and then shared with the Cambridge Public Health Department after the event.