Dec 15 2008
Scientists are to examine the potential dangers of "nanoparticles" in everyday products such as sunscreen in a ?.6 million project funded by the European Union.
Dr Anddrew Nelson, a chemist at the University of Leeds, will lead a team of British, Dutch, Belgian, Spanish and Italian experts looking at the environmental impact of nanotechnology.
"There is a huge need for this research as some nanoparticles that are used in everyday products, such as paint and suntan cream, have never been properly tested," said Dr Nelson.
"What this project is aiming to do is assess the subtle, long-term environmental and health problems that these new particles may cause."
Nanotechnology involves creating and manipulating new materials at scales 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Particles at such small scales often have unusual properties.
The scientists are especially interested in nanoparticles made of metal oxides such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are already used in a wide range of products, such as anti-bacterial cleaning agents, ointments, sunscreens and paints.
In Leeds scientists will test the particles on model biological membranes and DNA to see whether they cause any long-term damage.
Across Europe the project will tackle how nanoparticles affect single-celled organisms and fish, and how they are transported by waterways and rivers.
"What has never been done before is to look at the relationship between the physical structure of nanoparticles and their toxicity," said Dr Nelson. "What we're trying to do is develop risk assessment strategies that account for the complex behaviour of very small particles."
ENNSATOX (the ENgineered Nanoparticles, Structure, Activity and TOXicology) project is due to get under way next summer.