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A new study published recently in the European
Respiratory Journal claims to be the first to link exposure to nanoparticles
with ill health in humans.
Toxicity from nanoparticles has been the subject of increasing research
efforts for several years. For example research published on May 20, 2008, in
Nature Nanotechnology showed that nanoparticles known as "carbon
nanotubes" causes mesothelioma in mice. The findings of this animal study and
others are significant because they highlight the possibility that nanoparticles
might cause cancer or other ill health effects in humans. However no "human"
studies have shown similar results until now.
This new study out of China involves seven healthy female factory workers
(aged 18 to 47 years) employed at the same unnamed print plant. Over a period of
5 to 13 months, these workers were hospitalized with respiratory problems
accompanied by skin irritation on the arms, hands, and face. Doctors found
excessive fluid (pleural effusion) in the lungs. The women were diagnosed with
pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs) causing impaired lung function. Two
of the women died later of lung failure.
The study was led by scientist Yuguo Song, from the Department of
Occupational Medicine and Clinical Toxicology at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital.
According to Song the workers' symptoms resulted from their exposure to
nanoparticles in the adhesive paint used in the plant. Made from a plastic known
as a "polyacrylate ester", this white "paste material" was scooped into a
machine and sprayed onto polystyrene boards. The boards were then heated to a
temperature of 75°C to 100°C.
The women worked in an unventilated room with no windows and only one door.
The door remained closed to keep the room warm. For several months all seven
workers were exposed to fumes and dust without proper protective equipment. Only
occasionally they would wear a cotton gauze mask. When interviewed the women
mentioned they often saw flecks in the air.
Nanoparticles (30 nanometres in size) were identified by electron microscopy
in the paint, lung tissue and fluid found in the lungs. The researchers believe
nanoparticles entered the body either through inhalation via the lungs, or
absorption through the skin, or both. They contend it was the toxicity of the
nanoparticles rather than the paint vapour that caused the illness experienced
by the workers.
As evidence Song points out that within two years, two of the women died and
the other five patients' lung function continued to deteriorate. After the
machine was shut down no further cases occurred.
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NOTE:
Environment Canada is developing and will
soon publish a Notice in the Canada Gazette under the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act requesting targeted companies or
institutions to provide information on nanomaterials and nanotechnology.
The information gathered will be used towards "the development of a
regulatory framework" making Canada the first jurisdiction to require
mandatory reporting of nanomaterials in the workplace.
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Want to
read the abstract of the study by Yuguo Song et.al?
Want more
information on Canadian research on the health implications of
nanomaterials?
Want to view previous WHSC publications addressing nanomaterials?
- Canada First to Require
Nanomaterials Reporting (March 6, 2009)
- Voluntary reporting on
Nanotechnology falls short, U.S. EPA finds (January 29, 2009)
- Precautionary Principle
needed for Nanomaterials (August 1, 2008)
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