Re: Nanoparticles Pose Health Risks

This last paragraph in the above referenced article underscores the amount of exposure on a daily basis -

"And humans certainly consume enough nanoparticles -- about 100 trillion of them every day. Their ultra-small size and amazing qualities makes them increasingly common in food and pharmaceutical products. Although the impact of chronic exposure remains somewhat unknown, the ingestion of dietary particles is thought to promote a range of diseases, including Crohn's disease. With so many nanomaterials under development and with so much yet to be learned about nanoparticle toxicity and potential human tissue reactivity, Mahler and the team are hoping that their work, particularly the in vitro model, will provide an effective low-cost screening tool."

100 trillion a day!

Here's another good article on this - http://www.ab.ust.hk/hseo/sftywise/200602/page4.htm


"The novel properties of nanomaterials, however, are a two-sided sword. The same properties that allow the wonderful beneficial uses also imply potentially devastating adverse health effects. Rapid uptake through skin and epithelial cells, capability to translocate along neurons, plus the known toxicity of some parent materials warrant careful environment, health and safety evaluation side by side with every nanomaterial application study.

The UK Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering published a report titled "Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties" in July 2004. They proposed the following general guidelines:
Treat nanomaterials as if they are hazardous

Seek to remove them from waste stream

Don't apply free nanomaterials to environment unless benefit clearly outweigh risk

Assess potential impact throughout lifecycle of nanomaterial (This report can be accessed at http://www.nanotec.org.uk/finalReport.htm)