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 that create long latent claims for insurers, according to a report by Swiss Reinsurance.[@@]

"Nanotechnology" is used to describe a number of emerging applications in manufacturing and products that contain microscopically small particles, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoparticles that can add material strength, electrical conductivity and scratch-resistance properties.

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

Swiss Re said there are a number of ways such microscopic particles?which are also produced in other instances, such as diesel engine emissions and cigarette smoke?can enter the human body. They can be inhaled with air into lungs, as is the case with cigarette smoke, or swallowed or may possibly enter the body through the skin.

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

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

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

"Astonishingly, even substances considered completely harmless in themselves?such as particles of latex?can have highly detrimental effects" in nanoparticle forms, according to the Swiss Re study.

Laboratory experiments have also shown, the study said, that some inhaled nanoparticles can also enter into the bloodstream through lung tissues.

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

Special Reports /

Nanotechnology The Next Asbestos?

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