Nanoparticles can’t be seen with the eye or even with a microscope. For a sense of perspective, consider the diameter of a strand of human hair. That cross section of hair is the size of 100,000 nanometers. (A nanometer is a billionth of a meter.)
Wright is among a pioneering group of scientists raising concerns about these super tiny particles. While many nanomaterials start out as substances that are considered safe at normal size, there has been very little testing into how safe these particles are when they are made so small they can travel easily from the lungs into other parts of the body, even slipping into cells and potentially causing damage to DNA.
That means the titanium dioxide that is safe when you smear it on your nose as a sunblock could be dangerous when it is broken down into super tiny bits that can interact with the human body at a cellular level.
The impact could be greater for populations that are already
vulnerable, such as people with inherited disorders, especially with
long-term exposure.
In one study, Wright found that certain metal-based engineered nanoparticles, widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens such as zinc oxide, could cause DNA damage in human cells.
People who work in the recycling and waste disposal industries may also face an increased risk due to exposure to nanomaterials.
In a recent study, Wright found that high-temperature incineration, a common disposal method for thermoplastics that contain nanoparticles, can result in a “nanofiller effect” where higher toxicity was observed in the particles released during burning of nano-enabled plastics than particles emitted from burned regular materials (plastics containing no nanomaterials).
About 20,000 metric tons of “nanocomposite” materials (such as vinyl siding) are sent to U.S. recycling facilities, landfills or disposed of through incineration each year.
As with products sold directly to consumers, there is no requirement that these materials be labeled and no guidelines for safe disposal of nano-enabled products.
“We’re not trying to demonize any particular material,” Wright said. “There are numerous benefits of nanomaterials across various industrial and research sectors. However, by understanding the material properties and how they behave in biological systems, we can minimize adverse human health outcomes while capitalizing on their unique properties, thereby increasing sustainability of the nanotechnology industry.”
In one study, Wright found that certain metal-based engineered nanoparticles, widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens such as zinc oxide, could cause DNA damage in human cells.
People who work in the recycling and waste disposal industries may also face an increased risk due to exposure to nanomaterials.
In a recent study, Wright found that high-temperature incineration, a common disposal method for thermoplastics that contain nanoparticles, can result in a “nanofiller effect” where higher toxicity was observed in the particles released during burning of nano-enabled plastics than particles emitted from burned regular materials (plastics containing no nanomaterials).
About 20,000 metric tons of “nanocomposite” materials (such as vinyl siding) are sent to U.S. recycling facilities, landfills or disposed of through incineration each year.
As with products sold directly to consumers, there is no requirement that these materials be labeled and no guidelines for safe disposal of nano-enabled products.
“We’re not trying to demonize any particular material,” Wright said. “There are numerous benefits of nanomaterials across various industrial and research sectors. However, by understanding the material properties and how they behave in biological systems, we can minimize adverse human health outcomes while capitalizing on their unique properties, thereby increasing sustainability of the nanotechnology industry.”