IKEA stops marketing its “air purifying” curtains containing nanoparticles of titanium dioxide
Our members and most loyal readers will recall that in March 2019, AVICENN began conducting tests on the IKEA “air purifying” curtains. The Swedish company did not give any indication of their composition, but AVICENN had suspected the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂) known for the photocatalytic properties touted in the advertising of this product, even before it was put on the market in 2020.
Since then, our questions to IKEA had gone unanswered; only the Swiss supplier, HeiQ had taken the time to assure us that the “mineral” applied to the curtains was “micro” and not nano (without further clarification on its nature: TiO₂ or other?).
AVICENN wanted to know for sure and had the curtains tested: a large number of TiO₂ nanoparticles were found on the surface (100% below the 100 nanometer mark). AVICENN then initiated other tests to know the depolluting efficiency of the curtains.
When in May, we wanted to order another pair for further testing, we discovered that the curtains were no longer available. This time, IKEA replied to our email: yes, the curtains were indeed withdrawn from sale, because they did not purify the air as expected. AVICENN asked the company whether it would communicate publicly about the withdrawal and/or warn consumers who had already purchased them. As a reminder, these curtains were featured on the cover of their latest 2020/2021 paper catalog and TiO₂ was classified as a suspected category 2 human inhalation carcinogen in 2019.
Our information sheets to go further
Other news on the subject…
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Citizen webinar for the general public and the university community.
- Organizers: Research department Law & Social transformation (DETS), University of Bordeaux
- Speakers:
- Marion Tissier-Raffin, Senior Lecturer in Public Law, Centre de recherche et de documentation européennes et internationales (CRDEI), University of Bordeaux
- Mathilde Detcheverry, General Delegate, Association AVICENN – Veillenanos
- Didier Morin, University Professor of Neuroscience, UMR CNRS INCIA, University of Bordeaux
- Website: https://dets.u-bordeaux.fr/animation-scientifique/webinaires-citoyens/saison-2024-2025
- 5th Joint Symposium on Nanotechnology
- Organizers: the Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network, with the support of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
- Date: May 13-14, 2025
- Topics:
- the application of nanotechnology in various sectors, including digitalization, 2D/3D printing, carbon-based materials and battery materials
- nano on various regulations (REACh, food contact materials, cosmetics, bioagents, PPPs)
- adaptation and development of OECD Test Guidelines for nano and advanced materials (Malta Initiative)
- review on nano-specific NAMs (new approach methodologies)
- when you’re nano and you know it: dealing with uncertainty regarding the nanomaterial definition in regulatory frameworks
- …
- Website: www.isc.fraunhofer.de/…2025/5th-symposium-nanotechnology.html
- 4-day training :
- the different routes by which toxic substances can enter the body
- the importance of toxicokinetics in preventing the toxicity of substances,
- the absorption, distribution, metabolisation and elimination of xenobiotics
- the toxicity of nanoparticles
- Organizer : Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC)
- From May, 19 to May, 22
- Speakers :
- Frédéric Gaidou (Chemical engineer specialising in Toxicology, ERAMET Group, Paris, President ATC Paris)
- Sarah Dognin dit Cruissat (Doctor of Pharmacy, nutritionist, toxicochemist, CALMEVA, Lyon)
- Jean-Dominique Puyt (Veterinary Doctor, Honorary Professor at the École Vétérinaire, Nantes)
- Isabelle Malissin (Doctor, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris)
- Nicole Proust (Research Engineer, Honorary Director of Research at the CNRS, Specialist in Nanotechnologies, Arsenic, Electromagnetic Waves, Palaiseau)
- Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier ((Nutri-toxicologist, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation INRA-Dijon)
- Claude Lesné (Doctor, Honorary Senior Research Engineer at the CNRS)
- Nicole Proust (Ingénieure Recherche, Directeur de recherche honoraire du CNRS, Spécialiste Nanotechnologies, Arsenic, Ondes électromagnétiques, Palaiseau)
- Website : https://www.atctoxicologie.fr/notre-formation.html