
Nanos and Covid-19

Nanos and Covid-19
By AVICENN Team – Last Modified August 2022
Promises of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the fight against covid-19
The covid-19 pandemic has given rise to a race against time to find and develop devices for testing, preventing and treating the virus as quickly as possible. Within the scientific and industrial community, promises and investments relating to the contributions of nanomaterials in the fight against the coronavirus have increased since the emergence of the pandemic.1See for example:
- Advances and Perspective on Antimicrobial Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications, Garg P et al., Forehead. Nanotechnology. 2022
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- Nanotechnologies against Covid-19, Régis Barille, The Conversation, February 11, 2021
- Application of Nanotechnology in the COVID-19 Pandemic, Yang D, DovePress, 16: 623-649, January 2021
- Pandemic Protection Is Accelerating Investment In Artificial Intelligence And Nanotechnology, Nano, January 2, 2021
- Toward Nanotechnology-Enabled Approaches against the COVID-19 Pandemic, Weiss C et al., DHW Nano 2020
- Why Go NANO on COVID-19 Pandemic?, Talebian S and Condé J, Matter., 2; 3(3): 598–601, 2020
- Nanoscale nights of COVID-19, Kostas Kostarelos, Nature Nanotechnology, April 27, 2020 and the comments of Raphaël Lévy (University of Liverpool) on his twitter account
- Can Nanotechnology and Materials Science Help the Fight against SARS-CoV-2?, Sportelli MC et al., MDPI, April 21, 2020
- COVID-19 Nanotech Product News March-April 2020, March/April 2020
- Nano Research for COVID-19, Warren CW Chan, ACS Nano, March 31, 2020
- Environmental disinfection for coronavirus BBZIX (silver nanoparticles), Zix, Osmayra, March 17, 2020
- Issue 60, March 2020: Antiviral and antimicrobial nanocoatings; Antiviral face mask products; Latest nanotech products, graphene news and nanomaterials regulationsMarch 2020Nanotechnology Solutions to Mitigate COVID-19: Detection, Protection, Medication, Borders.
By way of illustration, we have noted from the first half of 2020 a few examples of applications of nanomaterials aimed at combating covid-19 (under development or already marketed), without claiming to be exhaustive:
- screening & diagnostic tests2Some examples of (avenues for) tests or screenings involving nanomaterials:
In French :
– The L2n, Lumière, nanomaterials & nanotechnologies laboratory (University of Troyes, CNRS Center Est) responded to the COVID Flash call from the National Research Agency (ANR) through two projects, which aim to work on portable detectors of the COVID19 virus, April 4 2020
- [...]
- Nanomaterial biosensor detects Covid antibodies in 10-12 seconds, Futuroprossimo, January 8, 2021
- A saliva test delivers its result in 5 minutes on smartphone, Info Protection, February 16, 2021: “MedTech Grapheal is developing a test that, thanks to polymer graphene, detects the virus in five minutes. Test results coming directly to the user's smartphone »
In English :
- Rapid coronavirus test available to ease strain on healthcare systems, Nano Magazine, March 19, 2020
- Producing iron oxide nanoparticles for 150,000 COVID-19 tests per week, Nanowork, April 8, 2020
- The Potential of Various Nanotechnologies for Coronavirus Diagnosis/Treatment Highlighted through a Literature Analysis, Alphandéry E, Bioconjugate Chemistry, July 8 2020
- Viral diagnostics and preventive techniques in the era of COVID-19: Role of nanotechnology, D. Chakraborty et al., Frontiers in Nanotechnology, September 14 2020
- CoNVat project – Combating 2019-nCoV: Advanced Nanobiosensing platforms for POC global diagnostics and surveillance, project funded by the European Commission to the tune of 2,5 million euros, with the participation of the University of Aix-Marseille, 2020-2020
- [...]
In Catalan
- A new test of Covid-19 amb gold nanoparticles created by the URV estarà validat al juliol, Tarragona NewspaperJune 2020 (less efficient than… dogs though!3See The Salicov study promoted by AP-HP confirms the Covid-19 screening technique thanks to the dog's olfactory abilities, AP-HP, June 2, 2022; in English : Dogs may be better at detecting Covid-19 than nasal PCR tests, study finds, The Guardian, June 2, 2022) - vaccines4Some examples of (tracks of) vaccines involving nanomaterials:
In French :
-Covid-19: European Union examines new German vaccine based on nanoparticles containing Spike protein extracts, France news, August 18, 2022
- Nanoparticles and vaccines against Covid-19: five questions to disentangle fact from fiction, Assma Maad, Le Monde, December 11, 2020: in the vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna, messenger RNA is carried in lipid nanoparticles (from fat) which make it possible to encapsulate it and protect it from destruction once in the body; as for the vaccine candidate developed by Novavax, the spherical nanoparticles of lipids are used, not to put the RNA, but the antigen so that it reaches directly the cells important for the induction of the immune response.
-COVID: a new vaccine effective against all variants and other coronaviruses, Trust my science, May 11, 2021
In English :
- Here's how nanoparticles could help us get closer to a treatment for covid-19, Roberto Molar Candanosa, Northearstern university, March 4, 2020
-Nanomedicine and the COVID-19 vaccines, editorial, Nature, Nov. 27 2020
-Fast-tracking nanovaccines to fight coronavirus, Laboratory News, September 10 2020
-Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Vaccine candidates, StatNano - antiviral treatments and/or treatments for covid-19 infections5See for example:
In French :
-COVID-19: Nano-coronavirus traps, Health Log, April 29, 2021
- From the nose to the lungs, Science Presse Agency, April 27, 2021
- Nanomedicines: Therapeutic nucleic acids, from cancer to Covid-19, INSERM, March 22, 2021
- Coronavirus: engineers design nano-sponges to trap it, Fiorenza Gracci, Science&Life, June 19 2020
- Squalene-based nanoparticles to treat septic shock and uncontrolled inflammation, Paris-Saclay University, April 28, 2020
– CovidNanoMed project – Development of nanoparticles containing therapeutic candidates against SARS-CoV2 intended for the pulmonary route, led by Bernard Verrier of UMR LBTI (CNRS-Univ Lyon 1) selected within the framework ofANR call for Flash Covid-19 projects, April 2020; See as well LBTI starts the formulation of promising antiviral drugs against Covid-19 for pulmonary delivery, Laboratory of Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering, April 15, 2020 and IVPC in action against SARS-CoV-2, INRAE, April 28, 2020
- SARS2BlockEntry project – Construction of nano-ligands to block the entry of SARS-CoV-2, project coordinated by Bernard Delmas (INRAE) selected within the framework ofANR call for Flash Covid-19 projectsApril 2020
– ACANOV project – Antiviral effect of ApoA1 nanoparticles against Covid-19, project coordinated by Patrick Mavingui (Pimit / CNRS), selected within the framework ofANR call for Flash Covid-19 projectsApril 2020
- Nanomaterials under study to fight against human coronavirus infections: the ANR NanoMERS project, ANR, May 11, 2020 and NanoMERS Project : Use of innovative nanoparticles to inhibit coronavirus infections – 2018-2022 (ANR)
In English :
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Pharmaceuticals, StatNano
- Nanomaterials and nanotechnology-associated innovations against viral infections with a focus on coronaviruse, Nasrollahzadeh et al., Nanomaterials 2020
- Decoy nanoparticles protect against COVID-19 by concurrently adsorbing viruses and inflammatory cytokines, L.Rao, PNAS, September 11 2020
- Nanotechnology Responses to COVID‐19, E. Ruiz-Hitzky et al., Advanced Healthcare Materials, September 3 2020 The Potential of Various Nanotechnologies for Coronavirus Diagnosis/Treatment Highlighted through a Literature Analysis, Alphandéry E, Bioconjugate Chemistry, July 8 2020
- Cellular Nanosponges Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity, Qiangzhe Zhang et al., Nano Letters, June 17 2020
- Nanosponges Could Intercept Coronavirus Infection, Ioana Patringenaru, UC San Diego News Center, June 17, 2020
- Formulations for COVID-19 Treatment via Silver Nanoparticles Inhalation Delivery, Oron Zachar, OSF Preprints, May 15 2020
- Application of nanomaterials in treatment, anti-infection and detection of coronaviruses, Ghazal Nikaeen, Sepideh Abbaszadeh, Saeed Yousefinejad, FutureMedicine, May 7 2020
-Silver Nanoparticles with Bronchodilators Through Nebulization to Treat COVID 19 Patients, Dr. Subhasish Sarkar, Journal of Current Medical Research, April 22 2020 - personal protective equipment with coatings based on nanoparticles – for masks6See Prospects for Further Development of Face Masks to Minimize Pandemics – Functionalization of Textile Materials with Biocide Inorganic Nanoparticles: A Review, Yocupicio-Gaxiola RI et al., IEEE Latin America Transactions, 14(8), August 2020
For the use of silver nanoparticles in masks, see in particular:
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Respiratory_Masks, StatNano
- Know the Health Risks Before Investing in anAntimicrobial Nano-Silver Mask (and What to Buy Instead!), One green planet, November 18, 2020 (USA)
- Cloth mask “duo nano silver”, made in Vietnam, Oshooz (“German Silver technology” + “Japanese nano copper and silver technology to resist various fluids”)
– “99% nano silver ion” antibacterial washable fabric mask / cotton, sold on Print my Design et /ionargent.com (Kevido SAS).
- Covid-19 washable nano textile mask – “textile with silver nanofibers”, Epicure.online, 2020
- Masks sold with the mention “nanosilver” sold on the Chinese site Alibaba.com
- Set of two “NANO SILVER” masks White, product from Korea according to the site, Ippon Sport, July 2020 (no longer accessible in October 2020)
- Antiviral nano-coatings to be upscaled for making triple layer medical masks & N-95 respirator to combat COVID 19, Government of India, Department of Science & Technology, 24 April 2020: Under the “Nano Mission” program, the Government of India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved support for the development of an antiviral nano-coating developed by the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, which will be used for the mass production of medical masks and N-95 respirators in the fight against Covid-19. This nano-coating, which combines nanoparticles of silver and zinc, must however still be tested in the laboratory to validate its effectiveness in real conditions.
- HEIQ Viroblock NPJ03 antiviral technology tested effective against coronavirus, HeiQ, March 16, 2020 (Switzerland)
- Silver's Antimicrobial Properties and the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), IEC Partners (USA), April 4, 2020
In addition to nanosilver, copper or zinc oxide nanoparticles as well as graphene are also being considered (or even already used) for certain masks.
See in particular:
In French :
- Potentially toxic masks removed from schools and daycares, La Presse (Canada), March 26, 2021
- CSIC obtains a nanomaterial applicable in masks and fabrics that eliminates the coronavirus, Marseille News, February 15, 2021 (original article in Spanish here).
-In Chile, everything is bet on copper and its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties to fight against Covid-19, Justine Fontaine, Radio France, January 26, 2021
-New graphene antibacterial masks, Fashion in Textile, September 2020
-Protective mask with “nano-zinc oxide”, CardiVasc SAS
- Mask (“nanomembrane”), Centurion
- Mask with copper nanoparticles, CMD Diffusion, 2020
- “Antibacterial PROTECTIVE MASK in certified nanomaterials”, imported from Vietnam, allegedly CE approved, May 2020
- Coronavirus. Copper, a precious metal to counter Covid-19, West France, April 15, 2020
- Fabrics impregnated with copper or zinc against the coronavirus? (copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles), Mode in Textile, April 2020
- How to make a mask using 3D printing (copper nanocomposites), filament2print, March 20, 2020
In English :
- Nanotech antimicrobial mask blocks 99.9 per cent of germs and particles, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), June 15, 2021 (these are copper nanoparticles)
- Australian innovators create copper face masks , 9 News Australia, May 14, 2021
- Covid-19 and graphene, a current overview, Graphene Info, December 2020
- a start-up Nanosafe Solutions Private Limited, NOIDA incubated by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi has made high-end masks that denature the virus using copper nano-particles, (date?) (video spotted by AVICENN in November 2020)
- CityU develops anti-bacterial graphene face masks, R. Ye, T. Benzhong, Z. Chunlei, CityU, September 10, 2020
- Washable nanotech face mask in development to meet demand amid coronavirus pandemic, SCMP, June 2020: “Charles Wang, an advanced material professor from a Beijing-based university, said that theoretically, nanofiber can filter the coronavirus because the material can be seen as mini-sized activated carbon”.
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Respiratory_Masks, StatNano
- Washable nanotech face mask in development to meet demand amid coronavirus pandemic, SCMP, June 2020: “Charles Wang, an advanced material professor from a Beijing-based university, said that theoretically, nanofiber can filter the coronavirus because the material can be seen as mini-sized activated carbon”.
- PlanarTECH & IDEATI's 2AM graphene-enhanced face masks, made in Thailand and distributed in the United States, May 2020
- Antiviral face mask created by Polish scientists, Poland In, May 4, 2020: “The scientists used particles of nano-silver, zinc oxides and titanium to create the mask. Viruses that reach its surface become inactive and cannot multiply” (see also, in Polish, https://wspieram.to/nanomaska).
- Promethean Particles Puts Its Nano-Copper To The Test In The Fight Against Viruses (copper nanoparticles UK), April 14, 2020
- Hack the pandemic with nano-copper, Metal Tech News, March 25, 2020
- Czech company to release face masks that capture and kill coronavirus in April, Expats Cz, March 2020
- Israeli startup says its nanotech masks and dresses may block coronavirus, The Times of Israel, February 6, 2020 (zinc oxide nanoparticles)
Some masks are just presented as containing "nanomaterials", without specifying the nano substance:
- Wakamono Surgical mask, “The World's first surgical mask applying Nano Biotech to proven effective against 99% SARS-CoV-2 and HUMAN CORONAVIRUS”, Vietnam (page consulted in November 2020)
- The antibacterial protective mask made of certified nanomaterials, Sportamo, gowns or gloves7See in particular:
In French :
- French-made gloves treated with titanium dioxide, Spinali Design, 2020
In English :
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Medical supplies, StatNano
- Active silver gloves, Polycat UK: “Lightweight & breathable cotton gloves impregnated both on the inside and outside surfaces with silver nanoparticles to provide an active barrier taking advantage of the protection silver offers against viruses & bacteria. The active silver nanoparticles will work both on your hands and the surfaces the gloves come into contact with. Currently subject to ISO testing for specific effectiveness against the COVID-19 / CORONA virus ».
- How can nanotechnology help to combat COVID-19? Opportunities and urgent need, EVR Campos et al., Journal of Nanobiotechnology, September 5 2020
- Ascertaining the 24 Hours Residual Inactivation Efficacy of the Chemical Composition of Legionella-X Viral Off (Fortified with Silver Nanoparticles) Against Bacteria and Enveloped Viruses (Coronavirus, SARS, MERS and Influenza) After Impregnation of Surgical Masks Using JIS L 1902:2015 Test Method, ResearchGate, March 2020 – and/or made of a weave based on nanofibers8See in particular:
In French :
- Nanofiber membranes increase the effectiveness of cloth masks, Fashion in Textile, October 31, 2020
- A biodegradable material for filter masks, Fashion in Textile, May 2020
- Nano-fibers used in the war against covid-19, Eliska Kacerova, Euradio, March 24, 2020
In English :
- Nanotechnology Solutions to Mitigate COVID-19: Detection, Protection, Medication, Borders
- Iran Leverages Nanotechnology to Launch West Asia's Largest Face Mask Production Plant, NBIC+, April 19, 2020
- New Easier-to-Breathe Mask Material Effectively Removes Virus-Size Nanoparticles, SciTechDaily, April 17, 2020
- Israeli hospital pilots virus-neutralizing sticker for masks to combat corona, Israel 21 C, April 2, 2020
- Reusable nano-filtered face mask could relieve COVID-19 supply issues, Nano Magazine, March 18, 2020
- Czech company to release face masks that capture and kill coronavirus in April, Expats Cz, March 2020 - disinfectant products or surface coatings for public places, spaces or equipment9Some publications or examples concerning disinfectant products or surface coatings (for public places, spaces or equipment) containing (or very likely to contain) nanoparticles:
In French :
- The use of nanomaterials as disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2, S. Freeman, National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (NCCEH, Canada), August 28, 2020
- “Trajet – Aunde has developed revolutionary disinfecting and decontaminating textiles, capable of self-eliminating the viral load, in particular that linked to the coronavirus”, May 20, 2020 – with prospects for use in public transport (among the company's customers are SNCF, RATP, …), but also in the sectors of health, education, tourism, shows, events, etc. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is explicitly mentioned in at least one of its products (“IS FRESH – The self-cleaning fabric for permanent purification”, with the following statement: “It is a new representative of nanotechnology for hygiene and health”)
- Coronavirus. Copper, a precious metal to counter Covid-19, West France, April 15, 2020
In English :
- Nanostructured Surface Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus within Six Hours, StatNano, September 29, 2020
- Nanomaterial Surface Coatings Could Prevent COVID-19 Spread, American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, May 5, 2020
- Coronavirus cure: Groundbreaking nanoparticles could wipe out COVID-19 infections – claim, Sebastian Kettley, Express, March 6, 2020
- Nanotechnology Solutions to Mitigate COVID-19: Detection, Protection, Medication, Borders(door handles, bars and ramps in public transport, etc.)10See for example:
- Indoor air treatment and purification, Preventilife (France): “Many studies on purifiers have taken place in recent years and months to determine their effectiveness against viruses and mainly COVID-19 (sic). (…) BKM's AHMPP nano-catalyst (…) contains six rare catalyst metals and two special moisturizing agents that rapidly increase the rate of kinetic reaction in air. The photocatalytic activity and therefore also the biocidal activity were significantly improved by reducing the size of the TiO particles from micro to nano. The assembly of nanoscale constituents is characterized by large interface surfaces (large surface/volume ratios) of the order of hundreds or thousands of square meters per cubic centimeter. Reducing the particle size of TiO2 results in an increase in its surface area, which results in improved photo-efficiency and, therefore, photocatalytic properties”.
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Air Filtration Systems, StatNano
- Nanotech Filter Coating Offers Promise Against COVID-19, J. Kever, University of Houston, September 29, 2020 - air filtration/purification devices (about which ANSES issued a vigilance message in 2017)11See Indoor air purifiers: efficiency yet to be demonstrated, ANSES, October 2017: "the Agency stresses that the available data do not demonstrate the effectiveness and harmlessness in real conditions of use of indoor air purification devices based on these technologies".
Some of these "promises" are relayed in the media, even in certain academic journals, without necessarily being very substantiated.12The most extreme example is that of this “brief”: Chinese scientists have developed a new weapon to combat the coronavirus. They say they have found a nanomaterial that can absorb and deactivate the virus with 96.5-99.9% efficiency, Global Times, March 29, 2020.Another example: in Russia, the press relayed the development by the Baltic Federal University of innovative protective masks based on silver ions which “have not yet been tested for their ability to resist the new coronavirus, but [which] there is every reason to believe that Kaliningrad scientists will also show their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2” (sic) (cf. Kaliningrad scientists have created antiviral masks with silver ions, Planet Today Russia, March 31, 2020).or without necessarily respecting the classic rules of procedure for scientific publications.. This is the case, more particularly, of several attempts to promote nanosilver, the effectiveness of which against covid-19 is scientifically less convincing.13The silver nanoparticles have recognized antibacterial properties, but what about their antiviral activity? They are nevertheless already applied, for example, to masks sold to fight against covid-19. See in particular note 5 above. that the interests of their authors14See in particular:
- Commentary by Raphaël Lévy, April 22, 2020, in response to the article Formulations for COVID-19 Early Stage Treatment via Silver Nanoparticles Inhalation Delivery at Home and Hospital, Science Open Preprints, March 28, 2020 (not validated by the reading committee)
- Coronavirus: miracle cures of the American ultra-right in the crosshairs of the authorities – Alex Jones, the American champion of conspiracy theorists, promotes products based on nano-silver, L'Opinion, April 10, 2020.
This in no way excludes nanomaterials from offering effective solutions beyond the laboratory.
However, as for other medical applications, vigilance is essential: be careful not to underestimate the toxicity of nanomaterials, which require appropriate safeguards. Their risk for the health and undesirable effects of their large-scale dissemination in the environment are neither negligible nor systematically evaluated. Not to mention that the questions posed by the recycling or elimination of nano-waste do not have a substantiated answer to date.
What vigilance in the face of an emergency?
The issues do not arise at the same pace and with the same magnitude for the different nano applications. While the development and control of vaccines or medical treatments necessarily take a long time, the increasing marketing of disinfectants and protective equipment containing nanomaterials (masks or gowns, for example) is more likely to lead to a large-scale, short-term exposure of people and the environment15See for example:
- Nanoplastics and other harmful pollutants found within disposable face masks, Swansea University, May 2021 (press release)
- An investigation into the leaching of micro and nano particles and chemical pollutants from disposable face masks – linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sullivan GL et al., water research, 196, May 2021 (academic publication).
The health emergency linked to covid-19 cannot make us forget, or lead to circumventing, all the questions raised for a long time concerning the risks associated with nanoparticles, nanomaterials and nanotechnology.
In France in particular, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has been proactively communicating on the subject of "nano" for a very long time.16See Biological evaluation of medical devices containing nanomaterials, Ansm, 2011; Since then, the Ansm has also produced a report on nanomaterials in drugs and medical devices, which, although expected since 2017, was not published on its site, only on the site ofveillenanos.fr in 2020! (See our page dedicated to nanomedicines) : its messages nevertheless remain topical; the use of nanomaterials assumes that the expected benefit is significant compared to other solutions, the toxicity and ecotoxicity of which are better known. It remains to be seen whether specific surveillance actions are deployed in the current context in order to protect caregivers, patients and, more broadly, the general population and the environment. From 2020, AVICENN began to question ANSES, ANSM, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the DGCCRF.
In the United States, the public authorities have contacted several companies17At least two companies were first called out by the FDA for promoting colloidal silver – containing silver nanoparticles – as a means of combating covid-19: Colloidal Vitality LLC/Vital Silver et N-Ergetics):
- Coronavirus Update: FDA and FTC Warn Seven Companies Selling Fraudulent Products that Claim to Treat or Prevent COVID-19, March 9 2020
- FDA Warns 7 Companies to Stop Claiming Silver and Other Products Treat Coronavirus, The New York Times, March 9, 2020 and a famous conspiratorial owner of an online sales site to ask them to stop promoting the anti-covid-19 virtues of their products based, among other things, on nanosilver18A few months later, other calls to order were made for products based on nano-silver again:
- Warning Letter to Natural Solutions Foundation, FDA, May 19, 2020 (Nano Silver 10 PPM)
- Warning Letter to Dr. Sherrill Sellman, FDA, June 1, 2020 (HealthMax Nano-Silver Liquid).
According to the precautionary principle, research must continue by demonstrating its ability to find (really) effective solutions but also to control the risks of the planned applications. NGOs and public authorities are not the only ones to call for vigilance, some voices within the scientific community are also seeking to mobilize in this direction.19See The impact of nanotechnology in the current universal COVID-19 crisis. Let's not forget nanosafety!, Vanessa Valdiglesias & Blanca Laffon, Nanotoxicology, 14(8) :1013-1016, 2020.
Applications of the precautionary principle concerning nanomaterials in masks
The Covid-19 pandemic has also boosted the supply of antimicrobial and antiviral nano-coatings, especially for mouth masks. During the years 2020 and 2021, various controversies linked to the marketing of potentially toxic masks have underlined the need to change the regulatory framework concerning nanomaterials in mouth masks, and to favor the precautionary principle over a posteriori risk management. .
Alerts and controversies related to the use of a virucidal coating
Silver and copper zeolites in DIM masks
Among these controversies is that of the fabric masks of the DIM brand treated with silver zeolites and silver and copper zeolites and distributed to teachers and a large part of the administration from May 2020. Reporterre alerted to their potential toxicity which led the Ministry of Labor and Education to suspend the distribution of DIM masks as a precaution. ANSES received a request to estimate the potential risks associated with wearing washable fabric masks treated with these two active substances and concluded urgently that “under the actual conditions of wearing the treated masks, any health risk cannot be excluded”.
Removal of masks containing TiO2 and silver nanoparticles
In Belgium, a similar event took place, while the Belgian government had distributed masks free of charge in June 2020, which were later found to be potentially toxic. Indeed, on February 23, 2021, the Belgian press revealed that a investigation report (then confidential but later made public) from the Belgian health institute Sciensano shows that the masks distributed by the government in 2020 contain nanoparticles of silver and titanium dioxide. Based on theopinion of the Superior Health Council Belgian (CSS) and as a precaution, the authorities recommended20These recommendations remain valid, following the publication on August 26, 2021 by the CSS of a Risk Assessment cloth mouth masks treated with a silver-based biocide, pending the results of a further study (in progress, led by Sciensano and VITO). to no longer distribute or wear them.
Removal of masks containing graphene
Silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles are not the only substances used as a biocidal coating. Graphene, for example, has won over some manufacturers for its antiviral properties and has been incorporated into many masks without having been sufficiently assessed for potential health impacts. The timeline below shows how graphene masks from Chinese manufacturer Shandong Shengquan triggered a cascade of recalls in Canada, as in Europe.
- Thus, in March 2021, it was the Canadian authorities who announced the withdrawal by the authorities of masks containing "nanoformed" graphene” previously distributed to education, childcare and health personnel. On May 26, 2021, the Quebec Research Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (IRSST), communicated on the toxicity and release of graphene nanoparticles contained in the offending masks : "In humans the risk is indeed present and could not be negligible". However, on July 13, 2021, the sale of these masks has been authorized again in Canada by Canadian authorities.
- These warning signals led, on April 7, 2021, four NGOs to ask the withdrawal of masks containing graphene, also marketed in Europe. The Chinese company Shengquan says it has exported “nearly 600 million masks” to Europe in one year. The request from NGOs was relayed in particular by Le Monde, Les Echos, The Obs, Brussels Times (Belgium), Independent (Ireland). In his response dated June 8 , the European Commission provides some very useful clarifications.
- Following this and faced with the alert born on Canadian territory, the precautionary principle is being applied at national and municipal levels. The Mayor of the City of Nancy seizes the Ministry of Solidarity and Health to obtain clear information on graphene masks and does not wait for nationwide guidelines to suspend the distribution and use of these masks in the City of Nancy.
- The following day, the Spanish Medicines and Health Products Safety Agency (AEMPS) also announced the discontinuation of the marketing and use of graphene type IIR surgical masks manufactured by Shandong Shenquan New Materials Co. Ltd, China.
- In France, it was not until May 25, 2021 that Public Health France asked health establishments holding stocks of FFP2 masks containing graphene to no longer use them and to inform the structures to which they would have been distributed. This note, published without much communication effort, is accompanied by a reminder from the DGCCRF, published on the Conso Reminder website, motivated by “non-compliance of these products with the regulations concerning biocidal products because the active substance “graphene” is not one of the authorized substances”, formally prohibiting the use of graphene in mouth masks.
A risk assessment is reportedly underway by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). To be continued then…
A regulation that takes its time
As of the end of 2020, the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) publishes a press release concluding that "as the benefit of a virucidal / antiviral treatment of masks has not yet been proven and their safety has not been verified by the authorities, the BAuA refrains from recommending the use of such masks"21See Can we wear nose covers and other virucidal / antiviral masks without hesitation?, BAuA, December 1, 2021.
However, faced with the growing marketing of masks covered with a virucidal treatment, in January 2021, in a letter published online22See Open letter to ECHA, AVICENN, HCWH, HEAL, SKY, EEB, …, January 20, 2021 in association with twelve other European NGOs, Avicenn requested clarification from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on the regulatory framework and risk management measures in place at European level on these issues. ECHA's response, dated 10 February23See Reply to letter from HCWH Europe, ECHA, 10 February 2021, confirmed that checks on compliance with the Biocides Regulation are the responsibility of the Member States and underlined that only two active substances are currently authorized at the nanoscale as disinfectants or preservatives (silver for product types 2, 5 and 9 and silver adsorbed on silicon dioxide for type of products 9).
On February 19, 2021, in its online post, the NGO Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) reiterates the observation made previously: the regulation of articles treated with nano/biocides does not keep pace with the development rate of new products and does not guarantee their safety24Is the regulation of nano/biocide-treated articles sufficient to protect health and environment?, HCWH, 19 February 2021.. The NGOs are still seeking to clarify certain confusing points at the level of the regulations and to have more information on market surveillance by the Member States.
This regulation changes on August 24, 2021, when the European Commission decides on the non-approval of silver as a nanomaterial for product types 2,4 and 9. This decision, disapproving of nano-silver as a biocide in products for the protection of fibers, leather, rubber and polymerized materials, follows various controversies of the marketing and use of nano-silver in mouth masks .
Furthermore, in a notice to operators published on June 10, 2021, the DGCCRF and the ANSM recall a few essential points to be taken into consideration before placing surgical masks on the market.
Untangling fact from fiction around nanoparticles in vaccines and tests
As part of its monitoring, the AVICENN association has observed since the Covid-19 health crisis a very significant increase, on social networks, in fears and certain fake news.25See for example:
- Preview of tweets with the keywords #nanoparticles and #5G
- Can Covid PCR tests be a way to surreptitiously infect or implant people?, Sott, August 20, 2020 → Alexandra Henrion-Caude's comments concerning, among other things, nanoparticles are scientifically erroneous:
- "Coronavirus: why PCR tests need to get to the bottom of the nose", The World, July 9, 2020
- Virus manipulated by humans, danger of masks… (nanoparticles in PCR test swabs) Inserm dissociates itself from one of its ex-researchers, LCI, October 5, 2020
- PCR tests do not reach the "cribriform plate" and are more efficient than saliva tests, AFP, December 24, 2020
- 5G, nanoparticles, Covid-19 “patents”… A viral video multiplies fake news, LCI, August 25, 2020 alerting to the allegedly deliberate use of nanoparticles, in vaccines (and more temporarily, in the fall of 2020, in PCR tests), the "hidden" purpose of which would be to trace, even subjugate or even eliminate a part of the population (with 5G sometimes invoked as a tool for remote activation).
How to disentangle the true from the false? If some fact-checking efforts are made26See for example:
- Are there really nanoparticles in the Pfizer vaccine?, Thomas Deszpot, LCI, February 17, 2021: “Internet users point out that Pfizer vaccines contain nanoparticles, which would give reason to whistleblowers accused of conspiracy. If their presence is very real, their role is totally misunderstood”
- Covid-19: can vaccines modify DNA? Can the nanoparticles present in the vaccine be used to “trace” citizens via 5G?, Bruno Pitard, CNRS research director and Inserm researcher at the Nantes-Angers immunology research center, France Culture, January 20, 2021
- Conspiracy theories: would it be possible to integrate nanochips into a vaccine?, Trust my science, January 20, 2021
- RNA vaccines contain dangerous nanoparticles? Fake, The Rumor Detector, Science Presse (Canada), December 29, 2020 and
- Nanoparticles and vaccines against Covid-19: five questions to disentangle fact from fiction, Assma Maad, Le Monde, December 11, 2020; To be completed by reading the following article: Pfizer's COVID vaccine contains compound that may be responsible for rare allergic reactions, Trust my science, December 30, 2020 Suspicions grow that nanoparticles in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trigger rare allergic reactions, Jop de Vrieze, Science, December 21, 2020)
- PCR tests do not reach the "cribriform plate" and are more efficient than saliva tests, AFP, December 24, 2020
- Nanotechnologies at the heart of the conspiracy – Why did the nanoparticle end up in all the conspiracies?, Xavier de La Porte, The Code has changed podcast, France Inter, December 8, 2020
- Will a tracking device (nanoparticles) be present in any of the new vaccines?, Quora, November – December 2020
- Virus manipulated by humans, danger of masks… (nanoparticles in PCR test swabs) Inserm dissociates itself from one of its ex-researchers, LCI, October 5, 2020
- Covid-19 and conspiracy September 8, 2020
- 5G, nanoparticles, Covid-19 “patents”… A viral video multiplies fake news, LCI, August 25, 2020
- COVID-19 and 5G: researchers show how this fake news has spread around the world, RTBF, August 9, 2020
- Coronavirus: why PCR tests need to go deep in the nose, The World, July 9, 2020
- 5G waves responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, really? Detox channel, INSERM, April 15, 2020
- Are vaccines “contaminated with toxic nanoparticles”?, The World, July 19, 2017 and necessary27See in particular:
- When mistrust supplants science, Jean-Philippe Dubrulle, Jean Jaurès Foundation, February 1, 2021
- Hearing of Messrs. Patrick Berche, Alain Fischer and Patrick Netter, members of the National Academy of Medicine, on vaccines against covid-19, by Mr. Cédric Villani, MP, President of the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices, OPECST, November 19, 2020, is their effectiveness condemned in advance to be only marginal?28See Fact Checking – A Contested Effectiveness, Wikipedia? In any case the lipid nanoparticles present in the vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNtech, Moderna and Novavax in particular have the sole function of encapsulating and protecting the messenger RNA or conveying the antigen to the cells.
That being said, there is still a real need for a response from the health authorities concerning the older and more legitimate questions about the presence and safety of nanoparticles – mainly metallic – potentially present in some other vaccines” classics by unintentional contamination, or in vaccines under development (with or without a link to covid-19). The inability to inform and dialogue about the problems posed by a new and complex technology can fuel certain suspicions and fantasies.
In July 2021, another rumor, widely relayed on social networks, claimed that graphene would be present in the Pfizer vaccine. After examination, it turns out that it is not based on any serious element29See in particular:
In French :
- Covid-19 vaccine: Attention, these videos do not show “graphene”, France 24, August 3, 2021
- Vaccination: no, "Spanish researchers" have not shown that Pfizer "contains an unknown product", LCI, July 8, 2021Désinfox Covid-19: no, no study proves that the Pfizer vaccine contains graphene, Le Progrès, July 15, 2021
In English :
- Fact-checking – Pfizer vaccine does not contain graphene oxide, Associated Press, July 8, 2021. .
To be continued…
Elsewhere on the web:
In French:
- French government website dedicated to covid-19
- Public Health France website dedicated to covid-19
- Masks treated with biocidal products: update on regulations, ANSES, March 2021
- Respiratory protection masks and biological risks, INRS, 2021: “masks claiming virucidal activity without it having been properly proven, and for which the biocidal treatment has not been the subject of an assessment of the risks that it is likely to pose to the wearer, do not bring no added value compared to untreated masks as a means of combating the transmission of COVID-19”.
- Silver particles – Coronavirus killers?, Analysis by Virginie Monnier, Lecturer in Chemistry, Institute of Nanotechnology of Lyon (INL), Ecole Centrale de Lyon, November 6, 2020
- The use of nanomaterials as disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2, S. Freeman, National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (NCCEH, Canada), August 28, 2020
- COVID-19: beware of poisoning linked to disinfection and other risky situations, ANSES, April 2020
- Advice to avoid the risk of domestic accidents in the current context of confinement, French Association of Poison Control and Toxicovigilance Centers, March 2020
- Page of the SignalConso site dedicated to the coronavirus, service offered by the DGCCRF
- Scams related to Coronavirus, DGCCRF, April 20, 2020
- World Health Organization (WHO) website dedicated to covid-19
- Questions about how to use disinfectants in public places, Future Generations, June 26, 2020
- Mini-guide COVID-19 > The right eco-responsible actions to adopt, French Health and Environment Association (ASEF), June 5, 2020
- [Tribune] No to toxic virucides!, Life Label, ASEF (French environmental health association), RES (Environment and Health Network), Acepp, Ufnafaam, FNEJE, May 19, 2020
In English :
- Know the Health Risks Before Investing in an Antimicrobial Nano-Silver Mask (and What to Buy Instead!), Jaydee Hanson (Center for Food Safety), One green planet, November 18, 2020
- Nanosilver in healthcare – does the silver bullet exist?, Dorota Napierska (Health Care Without Harm Europe), August 31, 2020
- Nano-enabled solutions against viral infections like COVID-19, BREC SolutionsJuly 2020
- The impact of nanotechnology in the current universal COVID-19 crisis. Let's not forget nanosafety!, Vanessa Valdiglesias & Blanca Laffon, Nanotoxicology, 14(8) : 1013-1016, 2020
- Dedicated page of the European Respiratory Society
- Application of nanomaterials in treatment, anti-infection and detection of coronaviruses, Ghazal Nikaeen, Sepideh Abbaszadeh, Saeed Yousefinejad, FutureMedicine, May 7 2020
A remark, a question? This sheet produced by AVICENN is intended to be supplemented and updated. Please feel free to contribute.
Our news on the same subject
Our next nano appointments
- 14th meeting of the “nano and health” dialogue committee
- Organizer: ANSES
- Website : www.anses.fr
- Technical Day
- Organizer: National Metrology and Testing Laboratory (LNE)
- On the agenda: identification of nanomaterials, recent technological innovations in terms of particle size characterization, areas for progress to be considered
- Upcoming program
- Website : www.lne.fr/…
- 8th International Conference on Health Issues for a Responsible Approach to Nanomaterials
- June 5-9, 2023
- Organizer: Commissariat for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies (CEA)
- Website : www.cea.fr/cea-tech/pns/nanosafe/…
This listing was originally created in March 2020
Notes & references
- 1See for example:
- Advances and Perspective on Antimicrobial Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications, Garg P et al., Forehead. Nanotechnology. 2022
(...)
- Nanotechnologies against Covid-19, Régis Barille, The Conversation, February 11, 2021
- Application of Nanotechnology in the COVID-19 Pandemic, Yang D, DovePress, 16: 623-649, January 2021
- Pandemic Protection Is Accelerating Investment In Artificial Intelligence And Nanotechnology, Nano, January 2, 2021
- Toward Nanotechnology-Enabled Approaches against the COVID-19 Pandemic, Weiss C et al., DHW Nano 2020
- Why Go NANO on COVID-19 Pandemic?, Talebian S and Condé J, Matter., 2; 3(3): 598–601, 2020
- Nanoscale nights of COVID-19, Kostas Kostarelos, Nature Nanotechnology, April 27, 2020 and the comments of Raphaël Lévy (University of Liverpool) on his twitter account
- Can Nanotechnology and Materials Science Help the Fight against SARS-CoV-2?, Sportelli MC et al., MDPI, April 21, 2020
- COVID-19 Nanotech Product News March-April 2020, March/April 2020
- Nano Research for COVID-19, Warren CW Chan, ACS Nano, March 31, 2020
- Environmental disinfection for coronavirus BBZIX (silver nanoparticles), Zix, Osmayra, March 17, 2020
- Issue 60, March 2020: Antiviral and antimicrobial nanocoatings; Antiviral face mask products; Latest nanotech products, graphene news and nanomaterials regulationsMarch 2020Nanotechnology Solutions to Mitigate COVID-19: Detection, Protection, Medication, Borders - 2Some examples of (avenues for) tests or screenings involving nanomaterials:
In French :
– The L2n, Lumière, nanomaterials & nanotechnologies laboratory (University of Troyes, CNRS Center Est) responded to the COVID Flash call from the National Research Agency (ANR) through two projects, which aim to work on portable detectors of the COVID19 virus, April 4 2020
- [...]
- Nanomaterial biosensor detects Covid antibodies in 10-12 seconds, Futuroprossimo, January 8, 2021
- A saliva test delivers its result in 5 minutes on smartphone, Info Protection, February 16, 2021: “MedTech Grapheal is developing a test that, thanks to polymer graphene, detects the virus in five minutes. Test results coming directly to the user's smartphone »
In English :
- Rapid coronavirus test available to ease strain on healthcare systems, Nano Magazine, March 19, 2020
- Producing iron oxide nanoparticles for 150,000 COVID-19 tests per week, Nanowork, April 8, 2020
- The Potential of Various Nanotechnologies for Coronavirus Diagnosis/Treatment Highlighted through a Literature Analysis, Alphandéry E, Bioconjugate Chemistry, July 8 2020
- Viral diagnostics and preventive techniques in the era of COVID-19: Role of nanotechnology, D. Chakraborty et al., Frontiers in Nanotechnology, September 14 2020
- CoNVat project – Combating 2019-nCoV: Advanced Nanobiosensing platforms for POC global diagnostics and surveillance, project funded by the European Commission to the tune of 2,5 million euros, with the participation of the University of Aix-Marseille, 2020-2020
- [...]
In Catalan
- A new test of Covid-19 amb gold nanoparticles created by the URV estarà validat al juliol, Tarragona NewspaperJune 2020 - 3See The Salicov study promoted by AP-HP confirms the Covid-19 screening technique thanks to the dog's olfactory abilities, AP-HP, June 2, 2022; in English : Dogs may be better at detecting Covid-19 than nasal PCR tests, study finds, The Guardian, June 2, 2022
- 4Some examples of (tracks of) vaccines involving nanomaterials:
In French :
-Covid-19: European Union examines new German vaccine based on nanoparticles containing Spike protein extracts, France news, August 18, 2022
- Nanoparticles and vaccines against Covid-19: five questions to disentangle fact from fiction, Assma Maad, Le Monde, December 11, 2020: in the vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna, messenger RNA is carried in lipid nanoparticles (from fat) which make it possible to encapsulate it and protect it from destruction once in the body; as for the vaccine candidate developed by Novavax, the spherical nanoparticles of lipids are used, not to put the RNA, but the antigen so that it reaches directly the cells important for the induction of the immune response.
-COVID: a new vaccine effective against all variants and other coronaviruses, Trust my science, May 11, 2021
In English :
- Here's how nanoparticles could help us get closer to a treatment for covid-19, Roberto Molar Candanosa, Northearstern university, March 4, 2020
-Nanomedicine and the COVID-19 vaccines, editorial, Nature, Nov. 27 2020
-Fast-tracking nanovaccines to fight coronavirus, Laboratory News, September 10 2020
-Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Vaccine candidates, StatNano - 5See for example:
In French :
-COVID-19: Nano-coronavirus traps, Health Log, April 29, 2021
- From the nose to the lungs, Science Presse Agency, April 27, 2021
- Nanomedicines: Therapeutic nucleic acids, from cancer to Covid-19, INSERM, March 22, 2021
- Coronavirus: engineers design nano-sponges to trap it, Fiorenza Gracci, Science&Life, June 19 2020
- Squalene-based nanoparticles to treat septic shock and uncontrolled inflammation, Paris-Saclay University, April 28, 2020
– CovidNanoMed project – Development of nanoparticles containing therapeutic candidates against SARS-CoV2 intended for the pulmonary route, led by Bernard Verrier of UMR LBTI (CNRS-Univ Lyon 1) selected within the framework ofANR call for Flash Covid-19 projects, April 2020; See as well LBTI starts the formulation of promising antiviral drugs against Covid-19 for pulmonary delivery, Laboratory of Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering, April 15, 2020 and IVPC in action against SARS-CoV-2, INRAE, April 28, 2020
- SARS2BlockEntry project – Construction of nano-ligands to block the entry of SARS-CoV-2, project coordinated by Bernard Delmas (INRAE) selected within the framework ofANR call for Flash Covid-19 projectsApril 2020
– ACANOV project – Antiviral effect of ApoA1 nanoparticles against Covid-19, project coordinated by Patrick Mavingui (Pimit / CNRS), selected within the framework ofANR call for Flash Covid-19 projectsApril 2020
- Nanomaterials under study to fight against human coronavirus infections: the ANR NanoMERS project, ANR, May 11, 2020 and NanoMERS Project : Use of innovative nanoparticles to inhibit coronavirus infections – 2018-2022 (ANR)
In English :
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Pharmaceuticals, StatNano
- Nanomaterials and nanotechnology-associated innovations against viral infections with a focus on coronaviruse, Nasrollahzadeh et al., Nanomaterials 2020
- Decoy nanoparticles protect against COVID-19 by concurrently adsorbing viruses and inflammatory cytokines, L.Rao, PNAS, September 11 2020
- Nanotechnology Responses to COVID‐19, E. Ruiz-Hitzky et al., Advanced Healthcare Materials, September 3 2020 The Potential of Various Nanotechnologies for Coronavirus Diagnosis/Treatment Highlighted through a Literature Analysis, Alphandéry E, Bioconjugate Chemistry, July 8 2020
- Cellular Nanosponges Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity, Qiangzhe Zhang et al., Nano Letters, June 17 2020
- Nanosponges Could Intercept Coronavirus Infection, Ioana Patringenaru, UC San Diego News Center, June 17, 2020
- Formulations for COVID-19 Treatment via Silver Nanoparticles Inhalation Delivery, Oron Zachar, OSF Preprints, May 15 2020
- Application of nanomaterials in treatment, anti-infection and detection of coronaviruses, Ghazal Nikaeen, Sepideh Abbaszadeh, Saeed Yousefinejad, FutureMedicine, May 7 2020
-Silver Nanoparticles with Bronchodilators Through Nebulization to Treat COVID 19 Patients, Dr. Subhasish Sarkar, Journal of Current Medical Research, April 22 2020 - 6See Prospects for Further Development of Face Masks to Minimize Pandemics – Functionalization of Textile Materials with Biocide Inorganic Nanoparticles: A Review, Yocupicio-Gaxiola RI et al., IEEE Latin America Transactions, 14(8), August 2020
For the use of silver nanoparticles in masks, see in particular:
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Respiratory_Masks, StatNano
- Know the Health Risks Before Investing in anAntimicrobial Nano-Silver Mask (and What to Buy Instead!), One green planet, November 18, 2020 (USA)
- Cloth mask “duo nano silver”, made in Vietnam, Oshooz (“German Silver technology” + “Japanese nano copper and silver technology to resist various fluids”)
– “99% nano silver ion” antibacterial washable fabric mask / cotton, sold on Print my Design et /ionargent.com (Kevido SAS).
- Covid-19 washable nano textile mask – “textile with silver nanofibers”, Epicure.online, 2020
- Masks sold with the mention “nanosilver” sold on the Chinese site Alibaba.com
- Set of two “NANO SILVER” masks White, product from Korea according to the site, Ippon Sport, July 2020 (no longer accessible in October 2020)
- Antiviral nano-coatings to be upscaled for making triple layer medical masks & N-95 respirator to combat COVID 19, Government of India, Department of Science & Technology, 24 April 2020: Under the “Nano Mission” program, the Government of India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved support for the development of an antiviral nano-coating developed by the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, which will be used for the mass production of medical masks and N-95 respirators in the fight against Covid-19. This nano-coating, which combines nanoparticles of silver and zinc, must however still be tested in the laboratory to validate its effectiveness in real conditions.
- HEIQ Viroblock NPJ03 antiviral technology tested effective against coronavirus, HeiQ, March 16, 2020 (Switzerland)
- Silver's Antimicrobial Properties and the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), IEC Partners (USA), April 4, 2020
In addition to nanosilver, copper or zinc oxide nanoparticles as well as graphene are also being considered (or even already used) for certain masks.
See in particular:
In French :
- Potentially toxic masks removed from schools and daycares, La Presse (Canada), March 26, 2021
- CSIC obtains a nanomaterial applicable in masks and fabrics that eliminates the coronavirus, Marseille News, February 15, 2021 (original article in Spanish here).
-In Chile, everything is bet on copper and its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties to fight against Covid-19, Justine Fontaine, Radio France, January 26, 2021
-New graphene antibacterial masks, Fashion in Textile, September 2020
-Protective mask with “nano-zinc oxide”, CardiVasc SAS
- Mask (“nanomembrane”), Centurion
- Mask with copper nanoparticles, CMD Diffusion, 2020
- “Antibacterial PROTECTIVE MASK in certified nanomaterials”, imported from Vietnam, allegedly CE approved, May 2020
- Coronavirus. Copper, a precious metal to counter Covid-19, West France, April 15, 2020
- Fabrics impregnated with copper or zinc against the coronavirus? (copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles), Mode in Textile, April 2020
- How to make a mask using 3D printing (copper nanocomposites), filament2print, March 20, 2020
In English :
- Nanotech antimicrobial mask blocks 99.9 per cent of germs and particles, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), June 15, 2021 (these are copper nanoparticles)
- Australian innovators create copper face masks , 9 News Australia, May 14, 2021
- Covid-19 and graphene, a current overview, Graphene Info, December 2020
- a start-up Nanosafe Solutions Private Limited, NOIDA incubated by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi has made high-end masks that denature the virus using copper nano-particles, (date?) (video spotted by AVICENN in November 2020)
- CityU develops anti-bacterial graphene face masks, R. Ye, T. Benzhong, Z. Chunlei, CityU, September 10, 2020
- Washable nanotech face mask in development to meet demand amid coronavirus pandemic, SCMP, June 2020: “Charles Wang, an advanced material professor from a Beijing-based university, said that theoretically, nanofiber can filter the coronavirus because the material can be seen as mini-sized activated carbon”.
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Respiratory_Masks, StatNano
- Washable nanotech face mask in development to meet demand amid coronavirus pandemic, SCMP, June 2020: “Charles Wang, an advanced material professor from a Beijing-based university, said that theoretically, nanofiber can filter the coronavirus because the material can be seen as mini-sized activated carbon”.
- PlanarTECH & IDEATI's 2AM graphene-enhanced face masks, made in Thailand and distributed in the United States, May 2020
- Antiviral face mask created by Polish scientists, Poland In, May 4, 2020: “The scientists used particles of nano-silver, zinc oxides and titanium to create the mask. Viruses that reach its surface become inactive and cannot multiply” (see also, in Polish, https://wspieram.to/nanomaska).
- Promethean Particles Puts Its Nano-Copper To The Test In The Fight Against Viruses (copper nanoparticles UK), April 14, 2020
- Hack the pandemic with nano-copper, Metal Tech News, March 25, 2020
- Czech company to release face masks that capture and kill coronavirus in April, Expats Cz, March 2020
- Israeli startup says its nanotech masks and dresses may block coronavirus, The Times of Israel, February 6, 2020 (zinc oxide nanoparticles)
Some masks are just presented as containing "nanomaterials", without specifying the nano substance:
- Wakamono Surgical mask, “The World's first surgical mask applying Nano Biotech to proven effective against 99% SARS-CoV-2 and HUMAN CORONAVIRUS”, Vietnam (page consulted in November 2020)
- The antibacterial protective mask made of certified nanomaterials, Sportamo, - 7See in particular:
In French :
- French-made gloves treated with titanium dioxide, Spinali Design, 2020
In English :
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Medical supplies, StatNano
- Active silver gloves, Polycat UK: “Lightweight & breathable cotton gloves impregnated both on the inside and outside surfaces with silver nanoparticles to provide an active barrier taking advantage of the protection silver offers against viruses & bacteria. The active silver nanoparticles will work both on your hands and the surfaces the gloves come into contact with. Currently subject to ISO testing for specific effectiveness against the COVID-19 / CORONA virus ».
- How can nanotechnology help to combat COVID-19? Opportunities and urgent need, EVR Campos et al., Journal of Nanobiotechnology, September 5 2020
- Ascertaining the 24 Hours Residual Inactivation Efficacy of the Chemical Composition of Legionella-X Viral Off (Fortified with Silver Nanoparticles) Against Bacteria and Enveloped Viruses (Coronavirus, SARS, MERS and Influenza) After Impregnation of Surgical Masks Using JIS L 1902:2015 Test Method, ResearchGate, March 2020 - 8See in particular:
In French :
- Nanofiber membranes increase the effectiveness of cloth masks, Fashion in Textile, October 31, 2020
- A biodegradable material for filter masks, Fashion in Textile, May 2020
- Nano-fibers used in the war against covid-19, Eliska Kacerova, Euradio, March 24, 2020
In English :
- Nanotechnology Solutions to Mitigate COVID-19: Detection, Protection, Medication, Borders
- Iran Leverages Nanotechnology to Launch West Asia's Largest Face Mask Production Plant, NBIC+, April 19, 2020
- New Easier-to-Breathe Mask Material Effectively Removes Virus-Size Nanoparticles, SciTechDaily, April 17, 2020
- Israeli hospital pilots virus-neutralizing sticker for masks to combat corona, Israel 21 C, April 2, 2020
- Reusable nano-filtered face mask could relieve COVID-19 supply issues, Nano Magazine, March 18, 2020
- Czech company to release face masks that capture and kill coronavirus in April, Expats Cz, March 2020 - 9Some publications or examples concerning disinfectant products or surface coatings (for public places, spaces or equipment) containing (or very likely to contain) nanoparticles:
In French :
- The use of nanomaterials as disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2, S. Freeman, National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (NCCEH, Canada), August 28, 2020
- “Trajet – Aunde has developed revolutionary disinfecting and decontaminating textiles, capable of self-eliminating the viral load, in particular that linked to the coronavirus”, May 20, 2020 – with prospects for use in public transport (among the company's customers are SNCF, RATP, …), but also in the sectors of health, education, tourism, shows, events, etc. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is explicitly mentioned in at least one of its products (“IS FRESH – The self-cleaning fabric for permanent purification”, with the following statement: “It is a new representative of nanotechnology for hygiene and health”)
- Coronavirus. Copper, a precious metal to counter Covid-19, West France, April 15, 2020
In English :
- Nanostructured Surface Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus within Six Hours, StatNano, September 29, 2020
- Nanomaterial Surface Coatings Could Prevent COVID-19 Spread, American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, May 5, 2020
- Coronavirus cure: Groundbreaking nanoparticles could wipe out COVID-19 infections – claim, Sebastian Kettley, Express, March 6, 2020
- Nanotechnology Solutions to Mitigate COVID-19: Detection, Protection, Medication, Borders - 10See for example:
- Indoor air treatment and purification, Preventilife (France): “Many studies on purifiers have taken place in recent years and months to determine their effectiveness against viruses and mainly COVID-19 (sic). (…) BKM's AHMPP nano-catalyst (…) contains six rare catalyst metals and two special moisturizing agents that rapidly increase the rate of kinetic reaction in air. The photocatalytic activity and therefore also the biocidal activity were significantly improved by reducing the size of the TiO particles from micro to nano. The assembly of nanoscale constituents is characterized by large interface surfaces (large surface/volume ratios) of the order of hundreds or thousands of square meters per cubic centimeter. Reducing the particle size of TiO2 results in an increase in its surface area, which results in improved photo-efficiency and, therefore, photocatalytic properties”.
- Technology against COVID-19: nano insights into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – Air Filtration Systems, StatNano
- Nanotech Filter Coating Offers Promise Against COVID-19, J. Kever, University of Houston, September 29, 2020 - 11See Indoor air purifiers: efficiency yet to be demonstrated, ANSES, October 2017: "the Agency stresses that the available data do not demonstrate the effectiveness and harmlessness in real conditions of use of indoor air purification devices based on these technologies".
- 12The most extreme example is that of this “brief”: Chinese scientists have developed a new weapon to combat the coronavirus. They say they have found a nanomaterial that can absorb and deactivate the virus with 96.5-99.9% efficiency, Global Times, March 29, 2020.Another example: in Russia, the press relayed the development by the Baltic Federal University of innovative protective masks based on silver ions which “have not yet been tested for their ability to resist the new coronavirus, but [which] there is every reason to believe that Kaliningrad scientists will also show their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2” (sic) (cf. Kaliningrad scientists have created antiviral masks with silver ions, Planet Today Russia, March 31, 2020).or without necessarily respecting the classic rules of procedure for scientific publications.
- 13The silver nanoparticles have recognized antibacterial properties, but what about their antiviral activity? They are nevertheless already applied, for example, to masks sold to fight against covid-19. See in particular note 5 above.
- 14See in particular:
- Commentary by Raphaël Lévy, April 22, 2020, in response to the article Formulations for COVID-19 Early Stage Treatment via Silver Nanoparticles Inhalation Delivery at Home and Hospital, Science Open Preprints, March 28, 2020 (not validated by the reading committee)
- Coronavirus: miracle cures of the American ultra-right in the crosshairs of the authorities – Alex Jones, the American champion of conspiracy theorists, promotes products based on nano-silver, L'Opinion, April 10, 2020 - 15See for example:
- Nanoplastics and other harmful pollutants found within disposable face masks, Swansea University, May 2021 (press release)
- An investigation into the leaching of micro and nano particles and chemical pollutants from disposable face masks – linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sullivan GL et al., water research, 196, May 2021 (academic publication) - 16See Biological evaluation of medical devices containing nanomaterials, Ansm, 2011; Since then, the Ansm has also produced a report on nanomaterials in drugs and medical devices, which, although expected since 2017, was not published on its site, only on the site ofveillenanos.fr in 2020! (See our page dedicated to nanomedicines)
- 17At least two companies were first called out by the FDA for promoting colloidal silver – containing silver nanoparticles – as a means of combating covid-19: Colloidal Vitality LLC/Vital Silver et N-Ergetics):
- Coronavirus Update: FDA and FTC Warn Seven Companies Selling Fraudulent Products that Claim to Treat or Prevent COVID-19, March 9 2020
- FDA Warns 7 Companies to Stop Claiming Silver and Other Products Treat Coronavirus, The New York Times, March 9, 2020 - 18A few months later, other calls to order were made for products based on nano-silver again:
- Warning Letter to Natural Solutions Foundation, FDA, May 19, 2020 (Nano Silver 10 PPM)
- Warning Letter to Dr. Sherrill Sellman, FDA, June 1, 2020 (HealthMax Nano-Silver Liquid) - 19See The impact of nanotechnology in the current universal COVID-19 crisis. Let's not forget nanosafety!, Vanessa Valdiglesias & Blanca Laffon, Nanotoxicology, 14(8) :1013-1016, 2020
- 20These recommendations remain valid, following the publication on August 26, 2021 by the CSS of a Risk Assessment cloth mouth masks treated with a silver-based biocide, pending the results of a further study (in progress, led by Sciensano and VITO).
- 21See Can we wear nose covers and other virucidal / antiviral masks without hesitation?, BAuA, December 1, 2021
- 22See Open letter to ECHA, AVICENN, HCWH, HEAL, SKY, EEB, …, January 20, 2021
- 23See Reply to letter from HCWH Europe, ECHA, 10 February 2021
- 24Is the regulation of nano/biocide-treated articles sufficient to protect health and environment?, HCWH, 19 February 2021.
- 25See for example:
- Preview of tweets with the keywords #nanoparticles and #5G
- Can Covid PCR tests be a way to surreptitiously infect or implant people?, Sott, August 20, 2020 → Alexandra Henrion-Caude's comments concerning, among other things, nanoparticles are scientifically erroneous:
- "Coronavirus: why PCR tests need to get to the bottom of the nose", The World, July 9, 2020
- Virus manipulated by humans, danger of masks… (nanoparticles in PCR test swabs) Inserm dissociates itself from one of its ex-researchers, LCI, October 5, 2020
- PCR tests do not reach the "cribriform plate" and are more efficient than saliva tests, AFP, December 24, 2020
- 5G, nanoparticles, Covid-19 “patents”… A viral video multiplies fake news, LCI, August 25, 2020 - 26See for example:
- Are there really nanoparticles in the Pfizer vaccine?, Thomas Deszpot, LCI, February 17, 2021: “Internet users point out that Pfizer vaccines contain nanoparticles, which would give reason to whistleblowers accused of conspiracy. If their presence is very real, their role is totally misunderstood”
- Covid-19: can vaccines modify DNA? Can the nanoparticles present in the vaccine be used to “trace” citizens via 5G?, Bruno Pitard, CNRS research director and Inserm researcher at the Nantes-Angers immunology research center, France Culture, January 20, 2021
- Conspiracy theories: would it be possible to integrate nanochips into a vaccine?, Trust my science, January 20, 2021
- RNA vaccines contain dangerous nanoparticles? Fake, The Rumor Detector, Science Presse (Canada), December 29, 2020 and
- Nanoparticles and vaccines against Covid-19: five questions to disentangle fact from fiction, Assma Maad, Le Monde, December 11, 2020; To be completed by reading the following article: Pfizer's COVID vaccine contains compound that may be responsible for rare allergic reactions, Trust my science, December 30, 2020 Suspicions grow that nanoparticles in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trigger rare allergic reactions, Jop de Vrieze, Science, December 21, 2020)
- PCR tests do not reach the "cribriform plate" and are more efficient than saliva tests, AFP, December 24, 2020
- Nanotechnologies at the heart of the conspiracy – Why did the nanoparticle end up in all the conspiracies?, Xavier de La Porte, The Code has changed podcast, France Inter, December 8, 2020
- Will a tracking device (nanoparticles) be present in any of the new vaccines?, Quora, November – December 2020
- Virus manipulated by humans, danger of masks… (nanoparticles in PCR test swabs) Inserm dissociates itself from one of its ex-researchers, LCI, October 5, 2020
- Covid-19 and conspiracy September 8, 2020
- 5G, nanoparticles, Covid-19 “patents”… A viral video multiplies fake news, LCI, August 25, 2020
- COVID-19 and 5G: researchers show how this fake news has spread around the world, RTBF, August 9, 2020
- Coronavirus: why PCR tests need to go deep in the nose, The World, July 9, 2020
- 5G waves responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, really? Detox channel, INSERM, April 15, 2020
- Are vaccines “contaminated with toxic nanoparticles”?, The World, July 19, 2017 - 27See in particular:
- When mistrust supplants science, Jean-Philippe Dubrulle, Jean Jaurès Foundation, February 1, 2021
- Hearing of Messrs. Patrick Berche, Alain Fischer and Patrick Netter, members of the National Academy of Medicine, on vaccines against covid-19, by Mr. Cédric Villani, MP, President of the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices, OPECST, November 19, 2020 - 28See Fact Checking – A Contested Effectiveness, Wikipedia
- 29See in particular:
In French :
- Covid-19 vaccine: Attention, these videos do not show “graphene”, France 24, August 3, 2021
- Vaccination: no, "Spanish researchers" have not shown that Pfizer "contains an unknown product", LCI, July 8, 2021Désinfox Covid-19: no, no study proves that the Pfizer vaccine contains graphene, Le Progrès, July 15, 2021
In English :
- Fact-checking – Pfizer vaccine does not contain graphene oxide, Associated Press, July 8, 2021.