Small size - large impact - Nanowerk

18
Consumer protection
Exposure to NP may occur in occupational and
environmental sources as well as through nanomedicines,
(functional) food and food chains. At the moment, there
is little know-how as to how to circumvent exposure
or to protect workers to NP uptake at accidental or
chronic exposure to NP. Simple techniques for online
measurement of NP will help to identify industrial
operations and procedures that may give rise to NP
emissions. Apart from incidental publications, studies
on the environmental distribution and effects of NP
are entirely lacking and there is considerable need for
studies on the life-cycle of NP, especially in consumer
product such a instruments, implants, coatings and
food components.
There are, of course, potential risks and side effects from
many nanomaterials applied in nanomedicine. In this
respect, it is crucial to mention that those indicated
in medical reports who purportedly derive the greatest
benefit from nanomedicine (Buxton et al, 2003) are
exactly those identified by toxicology to be at risk for
the effect of inhaled nanoparticles (Seaton et al, 1995;
Suwa et al, 2002; Borm & Kreyling, 2004). This
underpins the importance of establishing communication
among those involved in the risks and utilising the
opportunities of nanomaterials. Perhaps the most
challenging question about such a collaboration is the
relevance of data of combustion and bulk nanoparticles
for engineered nanoparticles.
References and further reading
BCC (2004) Business Communications Company, Inc. Global
Nanotechnology Market to Reach $29 billion by 2008.
http://www.bccreserach.com/editors/RGB-290.html
Borm PJA (2002) Particle Toxicology: from coal mining
to nanotechnology. Inhalation Toxicol 14: 311-324.
Borm PJA & Kreyling W (2004). Toxicological hazards of inhaled
nanoparticles – potential implications for drug delivery. Journal
of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 4: 521-531.
Buxton DB, Lee SC, Wickline SA, Ferrari M (2003) National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute Nanotechnology Working Group.
Recommendations of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Nanotechnology Working Group. Circulation. 2003 Dec 2;
108 (22): 2737-42.
Colvin V (2003). The potential environmental impact of engineered
nanomaterials. Nature Biotechnology 21 (10): 1166-1170.
Dockery DW, Pope CA 3rd, Xu X, Spengler JD, Ware JH, Fay ME,
Ferris BG Jr., Speizer FE. An association between air pollution and
mortality in six U.S. Cities. New England Journal of Medicine
(1993) Dec 9; 329 (24): 1753-9.
Donaldson K, Brown D, Clouter A, Duffin R, MacNee W, Renwick
L, Stone V (2002). The pulmonary toxicology of ultrafine particles, J.
Aerosol Med. 15: 213-220.
Duncan R (2003) The dawning era of polymer therapeutics. Nature
Reviews 2: 347-360.
ESF (2004) European Science Foundation Policy Briefing: ESF
Scientific Forward Look on Nanomedicine. Preliminary report of
workshop at Le Bischenberg, Strasbourg, France, November 2004.
Granum B, and M. Lovik, The effect of particles on allergic immune
responses. Toxicol Sciences 65: 7-17 (2002).
Oberdörster G (2001) Pulmonary effects of ultrafine particles. Int
Arch Occup Environ Health 74: 1-8.
Oberdörster G, Sharp Z, Atudorei V, Elder A, Gelein R, Kreyling W,
Cox C (2004). Translocation of inhaled ultrafine particles to the
brain. Inhal Toxicol. 16 (6-7): 437-45.
Seaton A, MacNee W, Donaldson K, Godden D (1995) Particulate
air pollution and acute health effects. Lancet 345, 176-78.
Suwa T, Hogg JC, Quinlan KB, Ohgami A, Vincent R, van Eeden SF
(2002) Particulate air pollution induces progression of atherosclerosis.
Am Coll Cardiol 39: 943-945.