EU committee raises health concerns over nanoparticles
Concerns have been raised by an EU scientific committee on emerging and newly identified health risks arising from the use of nanotechnology in cleaning and other services.
In the past the committee has identified fears about a lack of environmental health knowledge regarding nanoparticles, but in a new report it has highlighted actual health concerns. An example is nanotubes which, the committee said, have “similar characteristics to some types of hazardous asbestos”.
On nanosilver (an anti-bacterial), the report highlighted a toxicity study where an “accumulation of silver was observed in all organs examined, i.e. blood, brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, stomach and testes.”