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Nanotechnology works with materials at the nanoscale, a world that is 1000 times smaller than the width of a hair.

WHAT ARE NANOPARTICLES? It’s a matter of size. Nanoparticles are extremely small particles between 1-100 nanometers in size that can be made of many kinds of materials, from metals to carbon to silicon. These extremely small particles will react differently than larger particles of the same material because nanoparticles have a lot of surface area for their volume. Therefore, they have lots of atoms on their surface where reactions take place. This often leads to a lower melting temperature (reduced melting point) than larger particles of the same material. Because they are so small, nanoparticles can sneak through barriers to get inside living cells.

Nanoparticles are microscopic particles that can be: ● Naturally-produced in

the environment, such as nanobacteria, evaporation from oceans or volcanic emissions

● A by-product resulting from human activity (anthropogenic source), such as the smoke when we burn a pure beeswax candle, the smoke from frying meat, microscopic particles of dust released when we vacuum, or exhaust particles from diesel motors

● Engineered or purposely created for a variety of uses, from biomedical to electronic to other types of consumer goods.

How small is a nanometer? One nanometer (nm) is one-billionth of a meter. Nanoparticles can be as small as 1 nanometer (between 2 and 10 atoms wide) or as large as 100 nm in size. By comparison, a sheet of paper is 100,000nm thick and a typical human hair is 80,000nm wide.

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There are three main chemicals used in antibacterial products: triclosan, triclocarbon and quaternary ammonium compounds. 00

ENGINEERED NANOPARTICLES

Engineered nanoparticles are made into all sorts of shapes and structures, including hollow tubes, boxes, spheres, fibers, reefs or cups. Nanoparticles can also be found as crystals or powders, and can be applied as thin films to other materials. There are many, many applications of nanoparticles, including:

Clothing containing: o nanosilver to kill bacteria and fungi o nano-sized silica to repel stains and water o nanoparticles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to block sun damage o nanoparticles for antistatic, moisture wicking and high performance permanent

press properties. Regular permanent press clothing is made with a chemical finish in the formaldehyde family, whereas the new nano-textiles actually change textiles at the molecular level, and can never wash out

Bed and bath linen containing antimicrobial nanosilver Food containing:

o nano-sized silica as an anti-clumping agent o nanoparticles of titanium dioxide to boost the ‘whiteness’ of products such as

powdered sugar coating Nutritional supplements containing nanoparticles of iron and/or zinc or other nutrients Food packaging containing:

o nanoclays to prevent gases like oxygen or carbon dioxide from moving through the packaging

o nanoparticles of zinc oxide as antimicrobials to increase shelf life o nanosilver as antimicrobials in rigid plastic containers used to store food

Non-stick cookware containing a ‘ceramic’ or ‘sol-gel’ coating of ceramic nanoparticles that are applied in a thin coat to the surface of the cookware. Porcelain enamel (or fired ceramic) cookware is made of larger particles of silica sand, soda ash borax and cobalt oxide that are melted together, ground into a powder, then applied to metal cookware and fired at high temperatures. Ceramic- coated or ‘sol-gel’ cookware usually weighs less than porcelain enamel or fired ceramic

Children’s items such as clothing, blankets, bibs, bottles and plush toys containing antimicrobial nanosilver

Cosmetics containing silver nanoparticles, or colloidal silver as antibacterials Sunscreens containing nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, especially

sunscreens that look transparent.

How are nanoparticles labeled? Health Canada and Environment Canada share responsibility for regulating nanomaterials, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Companies are ‘encouraged’ to disclose the presence of nano-sized particles in food and other products, but they are not legally required to do so. For example, when additives are used in food, the label does not have to specify whether the material is nano-sized or found as larger particles. However, if you see the words ‘nano’, ‘ultrafine’, ‘nano-delivery systems’ or ‘micronized’ on the label, you can be quite sure that the product

contains nanoparticles.

There are three main chemicals used in antibacterial products: triclosan, triclocarbon and quaternary ammonium compounds. 00

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ARE NANOPARTICLES BAD FOR US?

We are all exposed to many types of nanoparticles every day, from biological organisms such as viruses and bacteria, to exhaust from vehicles and smoke from cooking food. Our bodies will do their best to protect us by limiting our exposure to harmful substances; however some nanoparticles can still be hazardous, whether they are natural or man-made. The effect of nanoparticles on human health and environmental systems has not been thoroughly researched. We don’t understand completely how nanoparticles are absorbed by our bodies or what happens once they get there, nor do we understand the ultimate fate of nanoparticles in the environment. Yet more and more nanoparticles are being engineered and incorporated into consumer products every day in spite of the lack of information about the safety of many of these particles. Here are some things that we do know about nanoparticles and human health(1,2):

because they are so small, nanoparticles can get inside living cells

some nanoparticles are not bound together with other particles so our

bodies will absorb these ‘free’ nanoparticles more easily

nano-sized aerosols, powders and coatings used in personal care products

may be inhaled or ingested

nanoparticles may be eaten when they are added to foods or transferred

from food packaging

nanoparticles can pass through the blood-brain barrier, so can enter our

brain cells

nanoparticles can also pass through the placental barrier into the fetus, and

can be transferred through breast milk

people with allergies to certain metals may be especially affected by metal

nanoparticles.

However, we don’t know how long it takes for our bodies to get rid of nanoparticles, once they are absorbed. Nor do we know if they are safe in the long term.

1Yi Zhang et al. 2014. Perturbation of physiological systems by nanoparticles. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2014,43, 3762-3809. 2Buzea et al. 2007. Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: sources and toxicity. Biointerphases, 2(4), MR17-71.

Are nanoparticles bad for the environment?

More and more engineered nanoparticles are finding their way into the planet’s atmosphere, soil and water through industrial and municipal waste. Some of the nanoparticles we consume will be released through our feces and urine, sending them to wastewater treatment plants which cannot prevent the smallest particles from entering lakes and rivers. For example, zinc oxide nanoparticles from sunscreen have been found in soybeans that were watered with municipal waste water3. Studies show that silver nanoparticles have made their way into algae and zebrafish and have slowed the growth rate of these organisms. We don’t know nearly enough about the impact that nanoparticles will ultimately have on the environment, yet we are releasing more and more consumer products containing nanoparticles each day.

3 Hernandez-Viezcas et al. 2013. In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Mapping and Speciation of CeO2 and ZnO Nanoparticles in Soil Cultivated Soybean (Glycine max), ASC Nano 2013, 7 (2), pp 1415–1423

There are three main chemicals used in antibacterial products: triclosan, triclocarbon and quaternary ammonium compounds. 00

This project supports the goals of the Lakewide Management Plan for Lake Superior and has received funding support from the Government of Ontario. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of this material.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Choose products that are free of nanoparticles, as much as possible, by carefully reading product labels on everything you buy. The following materials are often manufactured as nanoparticles: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, silicon dioxide, iron oxide, silver and gold. However, be aware that consumer products do not need to indicate that they contain nanoparticles on the labels. Food

Choose organic whenever possible because nanoparticles cannot be used in organic products

Avoid processed foods, particularly food containing colour or anti-clumping compounds because these can be nano-sized

Avoid nano-sized nutritional supplements (or nanoceuticals) in food and beverages. There is no evidence that nano-sized nutrients are safe or effective

Avoid plastic food packaging and food containers because these can contain antimicrobial nanoparticles

Choose cookware made of stainless steel, quality porcelain enamel, glass or clay instead of ‘ceramic’ or ‘sol-gel’ coatings or TEFLONTM non-stick cookware

Consumer Products Avoid consumer products claiming to have antimicrobial properties.

Nanosilver is often found in antimicrobial bed linens, bath towels, clothing, shoes, keyboards, electric shavers, paints and other products

Avoid clothing and footwear with antimicrobial properties Choose children’s items that are free of antimicrobial treatment When choosing clothing, be aware that permanent press, anti-odour,

moisture-wicking or anti-static textiles may contain nanoparticles or synthetic chemical finishes

Cosmetics and Sunscreens Read labels and avoid those with the words ‘nano’, ‘ultrafine’, ‘nano-

delivery systems’ or ‘micronized’.