Researchers investigating the effects of a nanomaterial food additive on cells from the human intestine have concluded that toxicity is directly related to the size of the surface area and crystallinity of the particles.
The collaboration between scientists from Germany, Italy and Australia, applied five different samples of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with different physical characteristics to human intestinal cells in the laboratory, and assessed subsequent cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and DNA damage.
The results indicated that only samples containing a particular form of titanium dioxide, called rutile, induced cytotoxic effects, the severity of which was highly correlated to the surface area of the particles. The research is published in Chemical Research in Toxicology.
The results indicated that only samples containing a particular form of titanium dioxide, called rutile, induced cytotoxic effects, the severity of which was highly correlated to the surface area of the particles. The research is published in Chemical Research in Toxicology.
A second group of researchers, based in the US, Switzerland and Norway, have assessed human exposure to such particles by quantifying the amount of nano-titanium dioxide in food and personal care products.
They identify products with the highest content of the substance, which include sweets and chewing gum meaning that children demonstrate the highest exposure levels. Other products with significant content are toothpastes and sunscreens,
They identify products with the highest content of the substance, which include sweets and chewing gum meaning that children demonstrate the highest exposure levels. Other products with significant content are toothpastes and sunscreens,
The researchers highlight the potential environmental risk resulting from the widespread use and disposal of the substance, and therefore recommend that environmental health and safety tests focus on the nano form of titanium oxide used in such products. The study is published in Environmental Science and Technology.
Fonte: ChemicalWatch
