Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Thursday, October 12, 2006

Rushford company tackling nanotoxicology

By David Krotz / Winona Daily News

A Rushford, Minn., company devoted to promoting the burgeoning field of nanotechnology is looking to address the health issues associated with the industry.

“We have shifted our emphasis over to toxicology,” said CEO Carl Wirtanen.

Nationally, scientists are trying to anticipate health and safety issues that may be spawned by products containing microscopic-size particles. A panel of experts told the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday that it must balance regulation of the rapidly growing field while not stifling new development.

RINTek has its own health and safety advisor — a doctor with an advanced degree in toxicology. Its founder, Kevin Klungtvedt, says the institute is concerned about nanotechnology health and safety issues and sees addressing them as a possible revenue source.

“We don’t know all the questions to ask,” Wirtanen said. Are all nano particles safe when applied or exposed to the skin? What about work place safety when particles with diameters less than 1/1,000 the thickness of a paper are being handled?

RINTek believes it has a role to play in researching safety and regulatory issues and devising standards and protocols as they apply to companies, local governments and state agencies. It has helped the city of Rushford question a prospective business about its processes, waste products and effects on water supplies.

Wirtanen believes RINTek can provide a similar advisory service for other communities, especially those manufacturing or using nano particles. Current filtration methods will not filter nano particles from water supplies, Wirtanen said.

Earlier this year, the institute relinquished its role in a $600,000 state grant for a nanotech business laboratory and incubator, deferring to the city of Rushford to carry on with the project.

RINTek changed directions in order to became a nonprofit organization devoted to research and education.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. You may reach reporter David Krotz at dkrotz@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3524.