Research into health & environmental risks of nanotechnology

This page gives a brief snapshot of scientific research on nanotechnology's risks to human health and the environment. It is by no means comprehensive and will developed further over time. For further reference information visit our links page.

An excellent overview of the emerging field of nanotoxicology:

• G. Oberdorster et al. (2005).Nanotoxicology: An Emerging Discipline Evolving from Studies of Ultrafine Particles. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Nanoparticles, and even micro-sized particles, may penetrate skin when it is flexed:

• S. Tinkle et al. (2003). Skin as a Route of Exposure and Sensitization in Chronic Beryllium Disease. Environmental Health Perspectives. 111(9):1202-1208.

Inhaled nanoparticles may travel to the brain along the olfactory nerve:

• G. Oberdörster et al. (2004). Translocation of Inhaled Ultrafine Particles to the Brain. Inhalation Toxicology. Vol 16(6-7):437-445.

Inhaled nanoparticles may enter the bloodstream from the lungs:

• W. Kreyling et al. (2002). Translocation of ultrafine insoluble iridium particles from lung epithelium to extrapulmonary organis is size dependent but very low. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 65:1513-1530.

• G. Oberdörster et al. (2002). Extrapulmonary translocation of ultrafine carbon particles following whole-body inhalation exposure of rats. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 65:1531–1543.

Carbon nanoparticles cause brain damage to fish:

• E. Oberdörster (2004). Manufactured nanomaterials induce oxidative stress in the brain of juvenile largemouth bass. Environmental Health Perspectives. 112(10):1058-1062.

Even low levels of exposure to some nanoparticles is toxic to human liver cells:

• C. Sayes et al. (2004). The differential cytotoxicity of water-soluble fullerenes. Nanoletters 4:1881-1887.

Nanosized titanium dioxide in sunscreens is found to catalyse DNA damage in skin cells:

• R. Dunford et al. (1997). Chemical oxidation and DNA damage catalysed by inorganic sunscreen ingredients. FEBS Letters 418:87-90.

Unpublished research has raised further alarm bells:

• Nanosized titanium dioxide in sunscreens is toxic to human colon cells.

This section is still being developed. For further links to scientific research into the impacts of nanotechnology, please visit our links page