Aquatic Toxicity of Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology has found its way into our everyday lives and, alarmingly enough, with nearly no attention paid to determining the potential for toxicity or lasting effects on the health of humans or our environment. Nanoscale particles have different properties than their microscale counterparts, and are small enough to penetrate even between the molecules of polymers such as proteins and DNA. Any toxicologist knows this could potentially cause mutations in our DNA, leading to abnormalities in cellular functions and resulting in cancer, birth defects or other genetic disorders.

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin studied the aquatic toxicity of two types of nanoparticles: Buckyballs (fullerenes) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) which is frequently used in sunscreens and cosmetics. They used a common bioassay for aquatic toxicity, and the crustacean Daphnia magna as a bioindicator, and found that both compounds caused abnormal behavior and death of the Daphnia, depending on the dose applied. Their data indicated that we need to proceed with caution when commercializing nanotechnology, and ensure that not only are the products safe to use, but the byproducts, waste products and end point of the life cycle do not harm us or the environment.

_Sources:

Garber, C. Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Aquatic Environments. Nanowerk Spotlight: September 7, 2007. www.nanowerk.com.