Perhaps these pigeons need some of the more esoteric devices out there to prevent exposure to emf smog: http://againsttheodds.hubpages.com/_12yk332elj2ci/hub/Electrosmog-5-Crazy-Devices-To-Protect-You-From-Electromagnetic-Wave-Pollution

It is no doubt that nanocoatings are going mainstream what with the latest solar paint that can harness the sun http://www.infobarrel.com/Solar_Nanopaint_-_Paint_With_Quantum_Dot_Solar_Cells and coatings for jets and other aircraft to provide excellent aerodynamic properties. Then you have nanocoatings for engines and http://againsttheodds.hubpages.com/hub/Nanodiamond-Lubricants-And-Lubrication-Particles and countless other applications on the horizon. It is an exciting time and there is still plenty of room at the bottom.

They can be a danger to kids (just about anything can be a danger to kids) and that is good to know for people who may not realize the power in rare earth magnets. But, more importantly, the use of rare earths creates a dependence on China that is critical although new companies are now trying to fill the supply gap. That makes a good stock market emerging market if you trust in such things. Also, the conditions at such mines and the corresponding factories are lethal with likely many generations of Chinese and 3rd world laborers going to die like the early days of the coal mining industry. Better extraction and refining methods are needed as well as alternatives to rare earths which are being pursued. I have written a few articles on the rare earths and these magnets: http://againsttheodds.hubpages.com/hub/Super-Neodymium-Magnets and http://againsttheodds.hubpages.com/hub/The-Race-For-The-Stocks-Of-The-17-Rare-Earth-Elements are a few.