The Guardian looks at the problem of uncontrolled use of nanos
In an article entitled “Forget microplastics: we may have a much smaller problem“, Nick Voulvoulis, professor of environmental technology at Imperial College London, is concerned about the uncontrolled use of nanotechnology in consumer products: “If nanos are used properly in applications that are useful or beneficial, that’s justified, but if they are just used anywhere and everywhere because they have certain properties, that’s crazy.”
AVICENN is also quoted several times, notably to emphasize the need to “ensure that nanos are only allowed for specific and essential uses in order to minimize any adverse effects at the source and [ensure they are] not released uncontrollably”.
One year after the withdrawal by IKEA of its (non) “air purifying” curtains, The Guardian also mentions our investigation which had established the presence of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide on the surface of the fibers as well as the lack of depolluting efficiency of the curtains.
Other news on the topic
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Citizen webinar for the general public and the university community.
- Organizers: Research department Law & Social transformation (DETS), University of Bordeaux
- Speakers:
- Marion Tissier-Raffin, Senior Lecturer in Public Law, Centre de recherche et de documentation européennes et internationales (CRDEI), University of Bordeaux
- Mathilde Detcheverry, General Delegate, Association AVICENN – Veillenanos
- Didier Morin, University Professor of Neuroscience, UMR CNRS INCIA, University of Bordeaux
- Website: https://dets.u-bordeaux.fr/animation-scientifique/webinaires-citoyens/saison-2024-2025
- 5th Joint Symposium on Nanotechnology
- Organizers: the Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network, with the support of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
- Date: May 13-14, 2025
- Topics:
- the application of nanotechnology in various sectors, including digitalization, 2D/3D printing, carbon-based materials and battery materials
- nano on various regulations (REACh, food contact materials, cosmetics, bioagents, PPPs)
- adaptation and development of OECD Test Guidelines for nano and advanced materials (Malta Initiative)
- review on nano-specific NAMs (new approach methodologies)
- when you’re nano and you know it: dealing with uncertainty regarding the nanomaterial definition in regulatory frameworks
- …
- Website: www.isc.fraunhofer.de/…2025/5th-symposium-nanotechnology.html
- 4-day training :
- the different routes by which toxic substances can enter the body
- the importance of toxicokinetics in preventing the toxicity of substances,
- the absorption, distribution, metabolisation and elimination of xenobiotics
- the toxicity of nanoparticles
- Organizer : Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC)
- From May, 19 to May, 22
- Speakers :
- Frédéric Gaidou (Chemical engineer specialising in Toxicology, ERAMET Group, Paris, President ATC Paris)
- Sarah Dognin dit Cruissat (Doctor of Pharmacy, nutritionist, toxicochemist, CALMEVA, Lyon)
- Jean-Dominique Puyt (Veterinary Doctor, Honorary Professor at the École Vétérinaire, Nantes)
- Isabelle Malissin (Doctor, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris)
- Nicole Proust (Research Engineer, Honorary Director of Research at the CNRS, Specialist in Nanotechnologies, Arsenic, Electromagnetic Waves, Palaiseau)
- Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier ((Nutri-toxicologist, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation INRA-Dijon)
- Claude Lesné (Doctor, Honorary Senior Research Engineer at the CNRS)
- Nicole Proust (Ingénieure Recherche, Directeur de recherche honoraire du CNRS, Spécialiste Nanotechnologies, Arsenic, Ondes électromagnétiques, Palaiseau)
- Website : https://www.atctoxicologie.fr/notre-formation.html