November 12, 200817 yr Tiny but toxic: Nanoparticles with asbestos-like properties found in everyday goods By Arthur Martin Last updated at 12:01 AM on 12th November 2008 Comments (0) Add to My Stories Tiny particles used to make common goods have similar properties to asbestos and could be highly dangerous, experts are warning. Others are more toxic than bleach and have the potential to cripple the country’s waterways, says the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. It fears that some nanoparticles, which are a million times smaller than a grain of sand, could threaten the health of the nation unless stricter regulations are imposed. Some nanoparticles have similar properties to asbestos and are potentially dangerous Nanotechnology is being used increasingly by hundreds of manufacturers to make innovative products across a range of industries including cars, clothing, sports gear and beauty creams. The name comes from the size of the particles – one nanometre, a millionth of a millimetre, in diameter. At this size, materials can show very different and unexpected properties. Last week, the consumer group Which? said some firms are not declaring the use of nanoparticles, particularly in beauty products and suncreams. Nano silver is released into the environment when clothes are washed, but is more toxic than bleach In 2003, Prince Charles used the phrase ‘grey goo’ to describe the dangers of nanotechnology. The commission is concerned by the lack of research into many of the particles. A particular worry is the use of carbon nanoparticles in items including clothing, car tyres and tennis racquets. Laboratory tests found that they exhibited similar properties to asbestos fibres. Concerns were also raised over nano silver, used in sports clothing to kill the bacteria which produce odours. Tests found that this substance, which is released into the environment when clothes are washed, is more toxic than bleach. Commission chairman Sir John Lawton admitted he would not let his family wear clothing containing these particles. The commission rejects an outright ban on the technology but calls for much closer supervision.
November 27, 200817 yr Laboratory tests found that they exhibited similar properties to asbestos fibres They'd better make their minds up! fibres washed down the river are hardly going to affect someone's respiratory system :dozey:
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