High-Tech Clothes, Sunscreen and Other Nanotech Products Lack Safety Research

It’s been two years since I first reported on my concerns about whether some of the products emerging from the growing field of nanotechnology are safe… and I’m still worried now, despite how ubiquitous the technology has become. Food containers, cosmetics, sunscreen and special purpose clothing (for instance, stain-repellant shirts and anti-fungal socks) are among the myriad products manufactured with nanoparticles. Because nanoparticles are almost unimaginably tiny — some less than a thousandth the size of a red blood cell — they can potentially cross normally impenetrable barriers, including the blood/brain barrier. It’s fascinating technology, but scientists are in uncharted territory with regard to its long-term impact.

NOT SO SURE IT’S SAFE…

Complicating the questions about the safety of nanotechnology is the fact that thousands of tons of nanomaterials are now produced each year. Different ones behave differently, both in the environment and in the human body. Some may be safe, some may not be — and it’s hard to tell which are which.

It is the opinion of Andrew D. Maynard, PhD, chief science adviser for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, with whom I recently shared my concerns, that many nanoparticles will be safe, if used with care. He also said that more research is needed to identify those nanoparticles that could cause serious problems.

For instance, one form of nanotechnology is carbon nanotubes, added to give lightweight strength to materials used in the manufacture of products like bicycle frames, golf clubs and tennis rackets. In their finished form these goods are likely safe, as the nanotubes are bonded to the product during the manufacturing process. However, the manufacturing process itself is hazardous to the health of the workers: A recent study showed that, if they get into the lungs, carbon nanotubes can lead to the same sorts of health problems caused by asbestos.

Another example: The nano-sized titanium dioxide found in some sunscreens. Nano-sized particles make the sunscreen invisible (or nearly so) on the skin while also being somewhat more effective than products using larger particles. The concerns that the teensy particles can more easily penetrate the skin and cause damage haven’t been proven… or disproven either.  While titanium dioxide is generally considered safe to man, little is known about what would happen if the nanoparticles end up in locations normally out of bounds to larger particles, such as inside of cells. The government is currently studying the issue of skin absorption of nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

SAFETY RESEARCH IN THE WORKS

The good news is that safety research is stepping up. In June of this year, Arizona State University announced that it received a $400,000 grant from the US Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research to study the environmental and biological risks of nanomaterials. The European Commission is considering increased regulation of nanomaterials to treat them as chemicals that must meet stringent safety requirements before they can be used by manufacturers — a move that, if passed, will impact larger manufacturers and is likely to spark more regulations in the US. Meanwhile though, while the safety studies are moving slowly, new products are arriving quickly. According to Dr. Maynard, we can expect to see nanotechnology in products ranging from pharmaceuticals to high-efficiency solar panels and the next generation of batteries for hybrid cars.

NANO-KNOWLEDGE

It’s not always apparent whether you’re dealing with something nano-sized as labeling isn’t required. Here are some guidelines to help you make buying decisions in the absence of concrete data on the safety of nanoparticle-containing products…

  • Learn the language. “Nano” is considered a great marketing word by many manufacturers, connoting the latest technology. Another key term is “micronized,” which Dr. Maynard says is often a euphemism for nano-sized. Consider these terms red flags that nanoparticles are likely used in that product.
  • Are you wearing it? As noted above, sporting goods made with carbon nanotubes are most likely safe, while products like clothing or body lotions that end up in contact with your skin mean nanoparticles can possibly make their way into your body and therefore raise more concerns. Dr. Maynard urges active questioning: “If you’re not quite sure about the dangers of a product, is it really worth using it? Is there an alternative product that would work just as well?”
  • Stay informed. The lack of labeling requirements makes it challenging for consumers to determine whether products are made with nano-sized particles, but The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies Web site has a searchable list of many. You can find it at www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/. The list isn’t complete, but it’s a good place to start.

When it comes to nanotechnology, there aren’t yet many safety studies available, reassuring or otherwise. In this case, I believe it really is worth sweating the small stuff.

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