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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Upcoming Nano Agenda
- International conference on metallic nano-objects for experts working in the interdisciplinary field of metallic nanoparticles, with a particular emphasis on nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, plasmonics, optics and photonics, catalysis, biomedicine, electronics, and nanoparticle recycling
- Organizers / Partners: CNRS, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux INP, ICMCB, CRPP, CBMN, ISM
- Website: https://mno2026.sciencesconf.org
- Toxicokinetics: the fate of chemicals in the body” training course:
- the different routes of entry for toxic products
- the importance of toxicokinetics in preventing substance toxicity,
- xenobiotic absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
- nanoparticle toxicity
- Organizer: Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC)
- Date: March 26, 2026
- Speaker: Nicole Proust (Research Engineer, CNRS Honorary Research Director, Palaiseau)
- Website: www.atctoxicologie.fr/…
- E-learning program: a 2-hour awareness-raising session aimed at personnel potentially exposed to nanomaterials at the workplace, heads of laboratories or facilities where nanomaterials are handled, safety coordinators or engineers.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the program:
- 1 – Introduction, definition and characteristics of nanomaterials
- 2 – Toxicity of nanomaterials: the state of knowledge
- 3 – Metrology and characterization of nanomaterials
- 4 – Prevention and protection against nanomaterials in the workplace
- 5 – Quiz: assessment of learning outcomes
- The 2-hour course can be viewed for one month from the date of registration.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/…risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux…
This sheet was originally created in February 2019