The invisible killer lurking in our consumer products

Consumer products such as food, cosmetics and clothing can be filled with nanomaterials without our knowledge. The use of nanomaterials is not yet regulated and they do not appear in the ingredient lists. This is a cause for concern, as nanomaterials can be more dangerous than COVID-19 in the long run if no safety action is taken: they are difficult to measure, they enter the food chain and, most alarmingly, can penetrate cells and accumulate in organs.

Thanks to the applications of nanotechnology, many diseases could soon be eradicated; in addition, engineers are developing materials 100 times more resistant than steel, batteries that last 10 times longer than before, solar panels that generate twice as much energy as the old ones, advanced skin products and self-cleaning cars, windows and clothes.

Nanotechnology has the potential to become the next industrial revolution. The global nanomaterials market is growing, estimated at 11 million tonnes at a market value of 20 billion euros. Current direct employment in the nanomaterials sector is estimated to be between 300,000 and 400,000 in Europe alone.

However, nanomaterials and their use in consumer products can be problematic. A new study published in Nature Communications today it sheds light on possible damage and what happens to it when it enters an organism. An international team of researchers has developed a sensitive method for finding and tracking nanomaterials in blood and tissues, and tracking nanomaterials in an aquatic food chain, from microorganisms to fish, an important food source in many countries. This method can open new horizons for security actions.

“We found that nanomaterials bind strongly to microorganisms, which are a source of food for other organisms, and this is how they can enter our food chain. Once inside an organism, nanomaterials can change their shape and size and become transform into more dangerous material that can easily penetrate cells and spread to other organs. When examining different organs in an organism, we found that nanomaterials tend to accumulate especially in the brain, “says lead author Dr. Fazel A. Monikh, from the University of Eastern Finland.

According to the researchers, nanomaterials are also difficult to measure: their levels in an organism cannot be measured using mass alone, which is the standard method for measuring other chemicals for regulation. The results emphasize the importance of assessing the risk of nanomaterials before they are introduced into consumer products in large quantities. A better understanding of nanomaterials and their risks can help policy makers to introduce stricter rules about their use and the way they are listed on product ingredient labels.

“It may be that you are already using nanomaterials in your food, clothing, cosmetics, etc., but still don’t see any mention of them in the ingredient list. Why? Because they are not yet regulated and because they are very small that simply we cannot measure them since they are in products “, says Dr. Fazel A. Monikh.

“People have a right to know what they are using and buying for their families. This is a global problem that needs a global solution. Many questions about nanomaterials still need to be answered. Are they safe for us and the environment? run out after you finish using them? How can we assess your possible risk? “Dr. Fazel A. Monikh says.