nanoparticles: search

Nanoparticles trigger cell death?

Nanoparticles that are one milliard of a metre in size are widely used, for example, in cosmetics and food packaging materials. There are also significant amounts of nanoparticles in exhaust emissions. However, very little is yet known of their health effects, because only a very small portion of research into nanoparticles is focused on their health and safety risks. Nanoparticles have even been dubbed the asbestos of the 2000s bys some researchers, and therefore a considerable threat to people's health. While the use of nanoparticles in consumer products increases, their follow-up procedures and legislation are lagging behind. The European Union chemicals directive REACH does not even touch upon nanomaterials.

Nanoparticles trigger cell death?

Nanoparticles that are one milliard of a metre in size are widely used, for example, in cosmetics and food packaging materials. There are also significant amounts of nanoparticles in exhaust emissions. However, very little is yet known of their health effects, because only a very small portion of research into nanoparticles is focused on their health and safety risks. Nanoparticles have even been dubbed the asbestos of the 2000s bys some researchers, and therefore a considerable threat to people's health. While the use of nanoparticles in consumer products increases, their follow-up procedures and legislation are lagging behind. The European Union chemicals directive REACH does not even touch upon nanomaterials.

Nanoparticles Trigger Cell Death?

Nanoparticles that are one milliard of a metre in size are widely used, for example, in cosmetics and food packaging materials. There are also significant amounts of nanoparticles in exhaust emissions. However, very little is yet known of their health effects, because only a very small portion of research into nanoparticles is focused on their health and safety risks.

Nanoparticles become more resistant

Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have developed a new method to make borosilicate glass nanoparticles. These Pyrex-like particles are more stable at high temperatures and in harsh chemical environments than other nanoparticles made of polymers or silica glass. They could extend the range of potential nanoparticle applications in fields as diverse as biomedicine, optics and electronics.

Use of nanoparticles in cosmetics questioned

Cosmetics firms use nanoparticles in sun screens. European experts have sought tests to determine the effects of the creams on damaged skin. Photograph: Getty

Are nanoparticles in cosmetics safe?

Cosmetics companies are taking insufficient steps to ensure face creams and other products that contain nanoparticles are safe, according to a report by a leading UK consumer association.

Query over nanoparticles in cosmetics

London (GUARDIAN NEWS SERVICE): Cosmetics companies are taking insufficient steps to ensure face creams and other products that contain nanoparticles are safe, according to a reportby a leading UK consumer association.

Attack of the nanoparticles

Report: Hundreds of consumer products made with nanoparticles, which can be 100 times smaller than a virus, are already on the market, despite an almost complete lack of knowledge of the dangers they may pose to human health and the environment.

CCNY Chemical Engineering Seminar: Self-Assembled Systems of Nanoparticles: Surprising Analogies with Proteins and New Optical Properties

CCNY Chemical Engineering Seminar: Self-Assembled Systems of Nanoparticles: Surprising Analogies with Proteins and New Optical Properties

Nanotechnology in the focus of consumer health protection

In which foods and products are nanoparticles used? In what ways do consumers come into contact with nanoparticles? Does this lead to health risks? How can they be assessed? What information do consumers need about nanotechnologies? At the sixth BfR Consumer Protection Forum at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Berlin the list of questions to be addressed was long. Around 200 participants from political circles, science, industry, public institutions and non-governmental organisations discussed possible answers from the angle of "Nanotechnology in the focus of consumer health protection". The participants all agreed that extensive research is required. There was also an urgent need for a uniform definition of nanotechnology.

Phase maps of nanotechnology materials aid in assessing their environmental impact

(Nanowerk Spotlight) Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have become a commercially significant nanomaterial and are being used in products around the world – in cosmetics and sunscreen lotions, paint formulations, coatings, self-cleaning additives, even in antibacterial applications. The increased use of nanomaterials such as titania goes hand in hand with a growing number of reports on the risks associated with these materials, which have arisen because insufficient information has been gathered about their reactivity and stability once they leave the laboratory. Unfortunately, pinpointing every conceivable situation that nanoparticles could interact in is an enormous multi-parameter problem and solving this by experimental testing alone is not feasible due to the huge numbers of combinatorial variations.

Nanotechnology a focus of consumer health protection in Germany

(Nanowerk News) In which foods and products are nanoparticles used? In what ways do consumers come into contact with nanoparticles? Does this lead to health risks? How can they be assessed? What information do consumers need about nanotechnologies?

Choosing The Lesser of Myriad Evils

Further to my earlier post on the latest NanoToxScare story, the Daily Telegraph has helpfully published a list of products that contain nanoparticles which neatly illustrates the need for risk assessment as it includes beer, aeroplanes and tennis rackets, all of which involve other risks than those posed by a few nanoparticles (and that’s before we start thinking about possible exposure mechanisms).

Nanotechnology's complicated risk-benefit dichotomy

(Nanowerk Spotlight) Adding yet another twist to the emerging debate about the potential risks of nanomaterials, researchers have demonstrated how difficult it is to map out the health effects of nanoparticles. They have shown that, even if a certain nanoparticle does not appear toxic by itself, the interaction between this nanoparticle and other common compounds in the human body may cause serious problems to cell functions. On one hand, this effect could be used to great advantage in nanomedicine for killing cancer cells. On the other hand, unfortunately, it is unknown at present whether the same effect could be observed with healthy cells as well. Since the number of possible combinations of nanoparticles and various biomolecules is immense, it is practically impossible to research them systematically.

Slipping past mucus for drug delivery

Mucus, while slimy and a bit unpleasant, forms a protective barrier for the surfaces of our eyes, respiratory tracts, gastrointestinal systems, and other vital parts. In preventing the penetration of various toxins, fine particles, and pathogens, mucus also blocks potentially therapeutic nanoparticles, making it very difficult to deliver drugs and gene therapy through mucosal surfaces. Viruses, on the other hand, have little trouble passing right through due to their outer coating. Scientists have tried to mimic this slippery coating by covering nanoparticles with PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)), a commonly used polymer that can vary in molecular weight depending on the length of its chain.

Nanoparticles something else not to panic about

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Nanoparticles Q&A

The safety of nanomaterials has received widespread media attention after a recent report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Nanoparticles Made to Swim

The on/off switch for the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge is now in the "on" position. It now will be held at the Las Cruces ...

Medical nanoparticles made to multi-task

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Semiconducting Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes Used for Efficient LEDs and Photovoltaic Devices

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Revealed: The toxic nanoparticles with asbestos-like properties found in everyday goods

Tiny particles used to make common goods have similar properties to asbestos and could be highly dangerous, experts are warning.

Tiny but toxic: Nanoparticles with asbestos-like properties found in everyday goods

Tiny particles used to make common goods have similar properties to asbestos and could be highly dangerous, experts are warning.

The beauty creams with nanoparticles that could poison your body

Tiny particles that may be toxic are being used in beauty creams without proper safety testing, a consumer group has warned.

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