Nanoparticles - serious safety issues

Sep
02
2009

Nanoparticles – serious safety issues

Posted by: vitale in Categories: Cosmetic Ingredients, Natural Skin Care Ingredients.
Using Tags: Cosmetic Ingredients, nanoparticles, non-toxic, sunscreen

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In the last 2 week I have had numerous queries about the use of nanoparticles in sunscreens. Nanoparticle is a general term that is used to describe substances and process that are smaller than 100 nanometers (nm). The nanoparticles used in sunscreens are from 20 to 30 nm making the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide invisible to the naked eye. Unlike traditional zinc oxide products which can leave an opaque white coat on the surface of the skin, nanoparticles rub in clear.

The issue with the use of nanoparticles in sunscreens is that when exposed to

Use of nanoparticles is associated with potential skin damage

UV light (sunlight) the ingredients produce dangerous free radicals, cause DNA damage and cell toxicity. In addition, research suggests that the penetration of nanoparticles is greater when skin is damaged or thinner eg. eczema, acne, sunburnt skin, babies and the elderly. While is no clear outcome as to what this means for human skin however, the likely outcome is ongoing damage.

Research is ongoing, however the above information does suggest we should treat nano-sunscreens with extreme caution until we know they’re safe. At this stage no labeling is required for nanoparticles in cosmetics. To set your mind at rest, our Third Stone Botanicals and Devita products with sun protection use micro particles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Micro particles are considered safe as they do not penetrate the skin surface.

See the video blog below for more information about the difference between nano and micro particles and how to avoid nanoparticles in your cosmetics.

For more information and a full report go to Friends of the Earth.

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6 Comments

6 Comments until now

On September 2nd, 2009 Natalie Said:

This is so scary. This is also relevant from the TGA
http://www.tga.gov.au/npmeds/sunscreen-zotd.htm

‘In Australia, all active ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, must be declared on sunscreen labels, to help consumers make informed choices. However, it is not a requirement for sunscreen labels to declare the particle size of the active ingredients.’

[Reply]

vitale Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 12:54 am

Thanks for your post Natalie. I think consumer education is the way to change the use of nanoparticles in products and then perhaps eventually the legislation with regard to labeling. Consumers have buying power – the more consumers that know about and avoid nanoparticles the more it will drive manufacturers to change…and ultimately that is what we want.

[Reply]

On September 2nd, 2009 DanTi Said:

Actually, almost all products containing nanoparticles are labelled as such. I don’t know where your data come from – and you should post a source of the research – but the greatest dangers of nanoparticles use is the fact that they penetrate the skin, and subsequently, the organism – and it’s not known where they actually accumulate.

As for breaking into free radicals – that’s a good example of pseudo-science.

[Reply]

vitale Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 12:47 am

Hi DanTi,

Are you sure….I refer you to Natalie’s post in which the TGA’s (Therapeutic Goods Association) ruling about nanoparticles is outlined. Again it would be worth you looking at the Friends of the Earth link I included as this outlines some of the issues in Australia about nanoparticle labeling. With regard to nanoparticles causing free radicals, they don’t necessarily unless they come into contact with UV rays, which is bound to occur when you use them in a sunscreen. The research shows that there is nothing wrong with the use micronised Titanium dioxide in sunscreens and in fact I am an advocate of its use in both sunscreens and mineral make up.

Yes your point is well noted with regard to research. I do post it for articles that I write but not for blogs and will make a note to do so in future.

[Reply]

On September 4th, 2009 Meagan Said:

I think it would be safer to have sunscreen act as a barrier on the skin to block the UV rays, rather than the nanoparticles being so small to actually penetrate the skin. Its a pity that as with most chemicals they’re put in consumer products until they are proven unsafe!

If you go back to the basics of chemistry with the atom having protons, neutrons and electrons, the definition of a free radical is an atom or a molecule with an unpaired electron, and so it will scavenge an electron off another atom or molecule to become stable, this then causes another free radical, and in turn a chain reaction which can cause some biological damage. Sun light is a big aggressor and so anything applied to the skin can react with the sunlight causing free radical damage. So I think the nanoparticles are a bit of a worry.

[Reply]

vitale Reply:
September 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

Hi Meagan…thanks so much for your comments. I am with you all the way about the safety of chemicals. I want to know what I am putting on my skin is safe!

[Reply]

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Nanoparticles – serious safety issues

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