Home > News > Are Nanoparticles a Health Hazard?
June 14th, 2010
Are Nanoparticles a Health Hazard?
Abstract:
It's a pity though that our eyesight isn't good enough at nanometre level, for if it were, we would see that nanoparticles of precious metals like gold, silver and titanium have already made the jump from research labs to our homes. Manufactured nanoparticles are today present in thousands of consumer products around the world — silver in washing machines and water purifiers to kill bacteria, zinc in cosmetics to protect against ultraviolet rays, carbon nano-tubes in tennis rackets to make them stronger and lighter, titanium in household paints to decompose dust and grime without human intervention.
While nanosilver, on account of its bacteria killing prowess, seems like manna from heaven for consumer product manufacturers, environmentalists aren't that excited. Because, they say, not all bacteria are bad and meant to be killed.
The second charge against nanoparticles is that they affect organisms in ways not yet fully researched.
In India too there is no specific regulation on the use of nanotechnology in consumer products. Meanwhile, if you were planning to read the label of a product to discern its nano-ingredients, you'd be disappointed. That's because no regulator mandates separate listing of nano-ingredients, and therefore no manufacturer does so. In fact, many manufacturers are deliberately avoiding the word "nano" on their product labels to avoid getting caught in any controversy.
Source:
in.com
Bookmark:
News and information
UofL scientists uncover how grapefruits provide a secret weapon in medical drug delivery May 22nd, 2013
Atomic-Scale Investigations Solve Key Puzzle of LED Efficiency: MIT and Brookhaven Lab scientists use electron microscopy imaging techniques to settle a solid-state controversy and raise new experimental possibilities May 22nd, 2013
Single-Cell Transfection Tool Enables Added Control for Biological Studies: McCormick researchers develop method of delivering molecules into targeted cells May 22nd, 2013
JPK reports on single molecule research at IISER Pune in India using AFM and CellHesion techniques May 21st, 2013
Products
International survey supports need for built-in water protection on smartphones and tablets May 21st, 2013
Peratech designs the QTC Ultra Sensor - an ultra-sensitive touch sensor for domestic, commercial and industrial use: Pressure sensor so sensitive that it can be operated through glass or steel sheet May 13th, 2013
Industrial Nanotech Launches Nansulate(R) Vinyl Fresh: Clear Liquid Thermal Insulation and UV Protection Coating Rejuvenates Vinyl Siding on Homes April 18th, 2013
MouthWatchers Nano-Silver Tooth Brush Released for Sale April 12th, 2013
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Atomic-Scale Investigations Solve Key Puzzle of LED Efficiency: MIT and Brookhaven Lab scientists use electron microscopy imaging techniques to settle a solid-state controversy and raise new experimental possibilities May 22nd, 2013
Single-Cell Transfection Tool Enables Added Control for Biological Studies: McCormick researchers develop method of delivering molecules into targeted cells May 22nd, 2013
MU Researchers Develop Radioactive Nanoparticles that Target Cancer Cells: This is an early step toward developing therapies for metastasized cancers, MU scientist says May 21st, 2013
Researchers Perform Fastest Measurements Ever Made of Ion Channel Proteins May 20th, 2013
Announcements
UofL scientists uncover how grapefruits provide a secret weapon in medical drug delivery May 22nd, 2013
Atomic-Scale Investigations Solve Key Puzzle of LED Efficiency: MIT and Brookhaven Lab scientists use electron microscopy imaging techniques to settle a solid-state controversy and raise new experimental possibilities May 22nd, 2013
Single-Cell Transfection Tool Enables Added Control for Biological Studies: McCormick researchers develop method of delivering molecules into targeted cells May 22nd, 2013
Rice unveils method for tailoring optical processors: Arranging nanoparticles in geometric patterns allows for control of light with light May 21st, 2013
Food/Agriculture/Supplements
Plants ‘talk’ to plants to help them grow May 8th, 2013
Thailand promote agricultural and medical sector at BIO 2013 May 6th, 2013
Microchip proves tightness provokes precocious sperm release April 29th, 2013
Greener methods for making popular nanoparticle April 24th, 2013
Environment
NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013
Nanoadsorbent Synthesized to Remove Toxic Dyes from Textile Industry Wastewater May 16th, 2013
New Stanford Nanoscavengers Could Usher In Next Generation Water Purification May 15th, 2013
Lifeboat publishes its first book: The Lifeboat Foundation has published its first book, "The Human Race to the Future: What Could Happen -- and What to Do" May 14th, 2013
Personal Care
New synthesis method produces nanoparticles in high quantities February 25th, 2013
Harris & Harris Group Notes Solazyme and Mitsui Multi-Year Agreement February 7th, 2013
X-rays reveal uptake of nanoparticles by soya bean crops: Metals contained in nanoparticles can enter into the food chain February 6th, 2013
Nature: super gel stiffens when heated January 23rd, 2013
Safety-Nanoparticles/Risk management
NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013
Squishy hydrogels may be the ticket for studying biological effects of nanoparticles May 15th, 2013
Ubiquitous engineered nanomaterials cause lung inflammation, study finds: Substances are used in everything from paint to sporting equipment May 6th, 2013
Council of Europe commences regulation of nanotechnology April 27th, 2013