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 This time, IKEA replied to our email: yes, the curtains were indeed withdrawn from sale, because they did not purify the air as expected.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
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Awareness-raising aimed at personnel in contact with nanomaterials during research, formulation, production, maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, etc., as well as safety coordinators or engineers, facility managers, heads of laboratories where nanoparticles are handled.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the agenda: potential impact on health; metrology and protection; control of potential risks associated with nanomaterials; consideration of societal aspects.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/formation/maitrise-des-risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux-sensibilisation
- 11th International Conference on Nanotoxicology
- Forum aimed at personnel from research and academic institutions as well as from industry, governmental agencies, and other relevant organisations
- Organizers: the leading EU-funded H2020 Projects DIAGONAL, HARMLESS, and SUNSHINE
- 23 – 25 September 2024
- Site internet: https://www.nanotox2024.eu
- As part of the “unusual CNRS visits” program, “Dive into the invisible world of atoms: explore nanotechnologies” : discover how nano-objects are manufactured and analyzed, with control and ultimate spatio-temporal resolutions of around 1/10,000 meters, in spaces exceptionally open to the public.
- Organizer: Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N), a flagship laboratory for research in nanoscience and nanotechnology in France (CNRS)
- Site internet : https://visitesinsolites.cnrs.fr/…