EU wants proof whether nanoparticles are safe or not
Researchers at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom have been awarded with €3 million from the European Union leaders in order to investigate and try to find a proof whether nanoparticles are safe or not.
The leader of the project, Dr Andrew Nelson, who is a chemistry professor at the Leeds University, said that this research is very necessary because nanoparticles are being used more and more in various products (sun creams, paint) and that’s all consumed by a large portion of population.
“What this project is aiming to do is assess the subtle, long term environmental and health problems that these new particles may cause.”
The research will be particularly focused on two nanoparticles: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, because they are some of the most used ones.
The aim of this project is to find out more about the impact of nanoparticles on the environment, and letting know the EU leaders about it. Based on the outcome of the research, they will be able to make the next move. “What has never been done before is to look at the relationship between the physical structure of nanoparticles and their toxicity. What we’re trying to do is develop risk assessment strategies that account for the complex behaviour of very small particles,” says Dr Nelson.
The research will begin in June 2009.
Source: leeds.ac.uk
