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
- Seminar presenting the Seirich system for chemical risk assessment, with a focus on the specificities of nanomaterials.
- Organizers: Association NanoMesureFrance
- Speakers: Florian Marc (INRS)
- Website: www.eventbrite.fr/e/billets-nanomesurefrance-webinar-1984136502691
- 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/…
This sheet was originally created in February 2019