Hello and welcome to your late week international coatings
industry update, brought to you by SpecialChem. There's something for everyone
in this issue, including the Rhode Island Supreme Court decision in the lead
paint suit explored in our continuation. But let's start with the international
news.
In the UK, a new environmentally-friendly paint range has been launched by
AkzoNobel. Christened Ecosure, the new range has been developed by Dulux Trade
in conjunction with Forum for the Future - an independent sustainability consultancy.
It represents a major step towards environmentally sustainable paint with reduced
carbon and VOCs, according to the company. Even Ecosure's packaging is made
from at least 25% recycled materials.
"Choosing products that deliver on sustainability and performance is challenging,
due to the complex nature of the issue and the proliferation of claims,"
explained David Shepherd, Brand Manager for Dulux Trade. "Ecosure is a
really exciting range which will enable appliers to choose products that are
proven to have a lower environmental impact, without compromising on performance."
In Turkey, PPG Industries has been named the coatings supplier for the new
Meiller-Dogus plant, which will produce tippers and trailers for the heavy-duty
truck market.
As a major coatings supplier to heavy duty truck manufacturers, PPG has created
a process to ensure color compatibility and optimum coatings performance for
the products produced at the new Meiller-Dogus plant. PPG has been the sole
supplier to Meiller throughout Europe since 2002, supplying coatings, paint
technologies and technical support to facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic
and Poland. PPG started operations in Turkey in 1994.
In nanotechnology news, researchers at North Carolina State University have
found that quantum dot nanoparticles can penetrate the skin if there is an abrasion,
providing insight into potential workplace concerns for healthcare workers or
individuals involved in the manufacturing of quantum dots or doing research
on potential applications of the tiny nanoparticles. While the study shows that
quantum dots of different sizes, shapes and surface coatings do not penetrate
rat skin unless there is an abrasion, it shows that even minor cuts or scratches
could potentially allow these nanoparticles to penetrate deep into the viable
dermal layer - or living part of the skin - and potentially reach the bloodstream.
Surely, all of us are concerned with the potentially negative biological effects
of nanoparticles, especially if we work with them regularly. This latest study
would suggest that we approach our raw materials with an abundance of caution.
Dr. Nancy Monteiro-Riviere, professor of investigative dermatology and toxicology
at NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine, tested the ability of the quantum
dots to penetrate rat skin at 8 and 24 hour intervals. The experiment evaluated
rat skin in various stages of distress - including healthy skin, skin that had
been stripped using adhesive tape and skin that had been abraded by a rough
surface. The researchers also assessed whether flexing the skin affected the
quantum dots' ability to penetrate into the dermal layer. Monteiro-Riviere co-authored
the study with doctoral student Leshuai Zhang.
While the study indicates that acute - or short-term - dermal exposure to quantum
dots does not pose a risk of penetration (unless there is an abrasion), Monteiro-Riviere
notes "there is still uncertainty on long-term exposure." Monteiro-Riviere
explains that the nanoparticles may be able to penetrate skin if there is prolonged,
repeated exposure, but so far no studies have been conducted to date to examine
that possibility. Quantum dots are fluorescent nanoparticles that may be used
to improve biomedical imaging, drug delivery and diagnostic testing.
This finding is of importance to risk assessment for nanoscale materials because
it indicates that skin barrier alterations - such as wounds, scrapes, or dermatitis
conditions - could affect nanoparticle penetration and that skin is a potential
route of exposure and should not be overlooked.
The study found that the quantum dots did not penetrate even after flexing
the skin and that the nanoparticles only penetrated deep into the dermal layer
when the skin was abraded. Although quantum dots are incredibly small, they
are significantly larger than the fullerenes - or buckyballs - which Monteiro-Riviere
showed in a 2007 study, can deeply and rapidly penetrate healthy skin when there
is repetitive flexing of the skin.
Meanwhile, chemists at Clemson University say they have developed a new type
of quantum dot that is the first to be made from carbon. Like their metal-based
counterparts, these nano-sized "carbon dots" glow brightly when exposed
to light and show promise for a broad range of applications, including improved
biological sensors, medical imaging devices and tiny light-emitting diodes (LEDs),
the researchers say. The development, which could help broaden the use of quantum
dot technologies, is described in a research communications published online
in May by the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
The carbon-based quantum dots show less potential for toxicity and environmental
harm and have the potential to be less expensive than metal-based quantum dots,
the scientists say.
Not more than a week ago, I was whining about how I never have any really good
news to report any more. Oh me of little faith!
The Rhode Island Supreme Court Tuesday brought an abrupt end to the state's
nine-year campaign to force some of the nation's major corporations to clean
up the lead-based paints that the state believes poisoned tens of thousands
of Rhode Island children.
In a unanimous 4 to 0 ruling, the court overturned a string of decisions by
Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein and a verdict by a six-person jury
that found the companies created a public nuisance by making and selling the
paints.
The court found there was no public nuisance because Sherwin Williams Inc.,
NL Industries and Millennium Holdings LLC did not control their paints after
they sold them generations ago.
In its 81-page decision, the justices were repeatedly apologetic about not
providing relief for lead poisoning victims. They said their actions were bound
by law and couldn't go beyond the law.
They also apologetically added, "In reversing the judgment of the Superior
Court, we mean no disrespect to the distinguished trial justice, the jury, the
members of our judiciary, the trial lawyers, or the Office of the Attorney General
- all of whom labored for years over this formidable and problematic case."
The possibility of significant new costs to the state arose when Sherwin Williams
lawyer Charles H. Moellenberg Jr. said Wednesday the company was considering
seeking recovery of its legal costs.
"This litigation has gone on for a long time and it was unwarranted,"
said Moellenberg. He said he didn't know how much the company spent defending
itself.
Because no federal issues were involved in the ruling, no appeal seems possible
to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case is over, say paint company lawyers. Attorney
General Patrick C. Lynch agreed, but had no further comment after the decision's
announcement.
In other news, Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced that
it has acquired the Nano Instruments business unit of MTS Systems Corp. ...more
about this news
Flint Group has announced that Dave Frescoln, Deputy Chairman,
plans to resign from the Board, and retire from the company at the end of July
2008 ...more
about this news
Microsphere Technology, the Edinburgh-based technology company,
has signed an intellectual property licence deal worth in excess of $1m with
Trelleborg Engineered Systems, part of Sweden's Trelleborg Group AB ...more
about this news
And finally, Industrial Nanotech Inc., an emerging global leader
in nanotechnology, has announced that sales of the Company's patented energy
saving and mold resistant product for homes and buildings, Nansulate® HomeProtect,
continue to increase exponentially worldwide as energy costs skyrocket ...more
about this news
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