Nanomaterials and Potential Risks

Year 2015, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 0 - 0, 04.01.2016

Muhsin Akbaba , Volkan Recai Ötegen

Abstract

: The word “Nano” is developed from the Greek word meaning “dwarf”. In more technical terms, the word “nano” means 10 -9 , or one billionth of something. For example, a virus is roughly 100 nm in size. Nanotechnology exhibits the top down phenomena, which means reducing the size of the smallest structures to the nanoscale. [1] Nanotechnology as a concept first raised by nobel winner physicist Richard P. Feynmann in 1959 with his call to new era for science by the lecture of ''There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom”[3] The term "nanotechnology" was first defined by Tokyo Science University, Norio Taniguchi in a 1974 paper as follows: "'Nano-technology' mainly consists of the processing of, separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule. [4] When we come up to 21st century a race began among nations to take the leadership of nanotechnology field, because it's seen a second industrial revolution or a new era. Billion dollar cost R&D studies made by developed countries. The United States, as a traditional technological power, attaches high priority to the development of nanotechnology. Since 1990s the United States has set related development policies of science and technology and guides the trend of nanotechnology development by absolute scientific research advantage and financial support.America is closely followed by Japan and China respectively. South Korea came in the fourth place with the application number gap between the top three being relatively large. [8] Making billions of dollars cost investment by both nations and private sector, we are using it more common in our daily life but still we do not have enough information about how this goods cycle continues in nature and also human body. Almost no direct data relevant to the fate and behavior of manufactured NMs in aquatic or terrestrial systems currently exist. Nevertheless, this is a rapidly developing area, and in the next few years a significant knowledge base will emerge in the scientific literature. [16] For example,CNTs are smiliar to asbestos as shape and a variety of kinase pathways important in proliferation are activated by asbestos leading to pre-malignant states and investigations are under way to determine whether fibrous CNT also affects these molecular pathways. Current research suggests that fibrous CNT can elicit effects similar to asbestos but more research is needed to determine whether they, or other nanofibres, can cause fibrosis and cancer in the long term. [20] And Titanium dioxide classified as group 2B carcinogen by IARC that means possibly carcinogenic to humans.[22] Compared with bulk TiO2 , smaller grain size of nano-anatase TiO2 (5 nm) would allow easier entry to mouse cells and its higher surface makes its intake to the organs of mice easier. Combination of both resulted in the enhancement of the titanium in the organs.[24]Overall, these results show that TiO2 nanoparticles may damage the development and proliferation of B- and T-lymphocytes, reduce the activity of macrophages, and decrease natural killer (NK) cell population levels, outcomes that appear to lead to an increase in tumor growth in situ. Some studies allow us to suggest that TiO2 nanoparticles might have the potential to enhance tumor growth through immunomodulation of Band T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and NK cells.[25] There are also some controversial studies that in short term nano-TiO2 doesnt effect health of test animals. Debate goes on but we must be suspicious about these materials and we need new and detailed risk assessment methods than bulk counterparts. The newly launched Biocidal Products Regulation includes European Union’s new assessment methods of nanomaterials. The Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) concerns the placing on the market and use of biocidal products, which are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms, like pests or bacteria, by the action of the active substances contained in the biocidal product. [19]

Keywords

nanomaterials, health