Nanotechnology The Next Asbestos?

NU Online News Service, May 13, 10:54 a.m.EDT?Expanding nanotechnology could pose hidden,undetermined risks for humans involving toxicity and pollution thatcreate long latent claims for insurers, according to a report bySwiss Reinsurance.[@@]

"Nanotechnology" is used to describe a number of emergingapplications in manufacturing and products that containmicroscopically small particles, such as carbon nanotubes ornanoparticles that can add material strength, electricalconductivity and scratch-resistance properties.

"Are these invisible particles dangerous to our breathing? Whathappens if nanotechnologically manufactured products end up on therefuse dump and their particles are released into the environment?"the Swiss Re study asked. "Too little is known about risks of thiskind and the paucity of data gives rise to a host of fears andalarmist scenarios," the report warned.

Swiss Re said there are a number of ways such microscopicparticles?which are also produced in other instances, such asdiesel engine emissions and cigarette smoke?can enter the humanbody. They can be inhaled with air into lungs, as is the case withcigarette smoke, or swallowed or may possibly enter the bodythrough the skin.

The study said special attention should be paid to particularlyvulnerable organs such as the brain, because foreign substancesthat can penetrate into such sensitive areas are considered to beparticularly exposed to product liability.

"We know?that some of the nanoparticles, when inhaled, aretransported directly to the brain." But the study also noted thatit's still not clear what effects such particles actually have onthe brain.

Swiss Re mentioned that in lung tissues, smaller particles suchas nanoparticles can cause reactions that are "many times stronger"compared with larger particles.

"Astonishingly, even substances considered completely harmlessin themselves?such as particles of latex?can have highlydetrimental effects" in nanoparticle forms, according to the SwissRe study.

Laboratory experiments have also shown, the study said, thatsome inhaled nanoparticles can also enter into the bloodstreamthrough lung tissues.

The full Swiss Re report on nanotechnology can be found atwww.swissre.com.