Scientists call for urgent testing of health implications of nanoparticles

[Antaletriangle]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sciencean...particles.html
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Last Updated: 6:33PM GMT 11 Nov 2008

Nanoparticles can be one millionth the size of a grain of sand. They are used to build innovative materials currently used in 600 products worldwide, from socks to sunscreens and even food supplements.

However, little is known about the effects the tiny particles could have if they were to escape into the human body.

Now a powerful committee of experts is calling for more research into the health implications.

A two-year study by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution warned there is the possibility to damage human health but emphasised that not enough research had been done.

Concerns are mainly around toxic nanoparticles that may be able to permeate protective barriers in the body, such as those surrounding the brain or a baby developing in the womb.

The team used the example of asbestos, another innovative material that was later found to be a carcinogenic, to demonstrate the possible implications to health.

Some nanoparticles display similar characteristics to asbestos.

Professor Sir John Lawton, chairman of the commission, warned that nanotechnology is in danger of becoming like genetically modified crops (GM), with science forging ahead without public understanding or trust.

"It's clearly very early in the development of these technologies, and at this stage we've found no evidence of nanomaterials causing harm to human health or the environment," he said.
"However, would we know if nanomaterials were causing harm? No we wouldn't. There's no evidence of harm, but a lot of that is because of a lack of evidence."



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[mntruthseeker]

Considerating the source. who cares They lie just to lie. This must be some good ****