Nanos and Health
Nanos and health
In many fields (cosmetics, food, textiles, construction, medicine, etc.), manufactured nanomaterials are increasingly used for their specific properties (anti-bacterial properties, modification of appearance, color, texture, etc.). However, these same “desirable” properties can lead to undesirable effects on health, where many uncertainties and concerns remain: due to their increased reactivity, nanomaterials are indeed likely to cause toxicity and potentially stronger inflammatory effects than “conventional” materials of the same chemical nature.
The studies carried out so far are mainly in vitro while the in vivo studies are mainly in animals with toxic effects on the heart, liver, spleen, stomach and kidneys.
The results are not all necessarily applicable to humans but still provide valuable information on the potential adverse health effects.
According to a scientific paper published in 2021, the nanoparticles with the greatest risk to human health are nano-TiO2 (titanium dioxide), silver nanoparticles, silicon dioxide (silica) and carbon nanotubes.
The information sheets on the topic
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Other news on the topic
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Nobel Day conference for the general public
- Speaker: Sophie Carenco, CNRS Research Director at the Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille CINAM, Aix Marseille University.
- Dates: December 4, 2025
- Organizers: CNRS
- Website: https://sciences.univ-amu.fr/fr/journee-nobel
- Annual conference of the NaMasTE research group (Manufactured Nanomaterials, Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and Risks: towards controlled development)
- Dates: December 9 and 10, 2025
- Organizers: CNRS
- Website: https://namaste2025.sciencesconf.org
- Webinar presenting the actions taken, projects completed, and future prospects during the last three years. This event will be an opportunity to share scientific advances, industrial collaborations, and initiatives designed to strengthen competitiveness and safety in the nanomaterials sector.
- Organizers: NanoMesureFrance
- Speakers: Valérie Godefert & François-Xavier Ouf (LNE & NanoMesureFrance)
- Website: www….nanomesurefrance-webinar-…
This sheet was originally created in February 2019