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quinta-feira, 16 de fevereiro de 2012

Children Most Exposed to Nanoparticles in Candy

Children may be receiving the highest exposure to nanoparticles of titanium dioxide in candy, which they eat in amounts much larger than adults, according to a new study. Published in ACS’ journal, Environmental Science & Technology, it provides the first broadly based information on amounts of the nanomaterial – a source of concern with regard to its potential health and environmental effects – in a wide range of consumer goods. 


021612_candy_200px
Children may be receiving the
highest exposure to nanoparticles
of titanium dioxide in candy, which
they eat in amounts much larger
than adults, according
to a study.
Image: ACS

In the study, Paul Westerhoff, from Arizona State Univ., and colleagues point out that titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a common additive to many consumer products, from food to paint to cosmetics.

Westerhoff explained that the body releases the nanoparticles in feces and urine, sending them to wastewater treatment plants, which cannot prevent the smallest particles from entering lakes and rivers.

Only one previous study, done a decade ago, reported on titanium dioxide content in a few commercial products. To fill the knowledge gap about the sources of humans’ exposures, the researchers bought and tested food, personal care products, paints and adhesives and measured how much titanium dioxide they contain. 

The group found that children consume more titanium dioxide than adults because sweets like candies, marshmallows and icing are among the products with the highest levels.
The paper lists the names of the products tested and their titanium dioxide content. Westerhoff recommends that regulators shift their focus from the type of titanium dioxide used in paints and industrial processes to food-grade particles, because those are much more likely to enter the environment and pose a potential risk to humans and animals.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Water Environment Research Foundation. 



Fonte: LaboratoryEquipment
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REFLEXÃO:

Até quando ficaremos expostos às nanopartículas sem termos o verdadeiro conhecimento sobre o que consumimos?



É direito nosso, constante na Constituição e por derradeiro no Código de Defesa do Consumidor, termos conhecimento sobre o que utilizamos e os reais riscos que podem ocasionar certos produtos que entram na cadeia mercadológica. Não é diferente com os Nanoprodutos.


Está na hora de órgãos reguladores se movimentarem e pautarem seus investimentos e desideratos não apenas para desenvolver da nanotecnologia, mas também vislumbrar os percalços e riscos que ela pode desencadear, como: nanotoxicidade, ecotoxicidade, genotoxicidade, nanoresíduos, nanodescartes, nanolixões e etc.


E tudo isso para o bem da humanidade. 


É chegada a hora de PRECAUÇÃO e mais INFORMAÇÃO antes que tragédias ocorram.