Posted on 05/04/2006 6:27:15 PM PDT by blam
Women buying creams made of tiny particles 'used as guinea pigs'
By Nic Fleming, Science Correspondent
(Filed: 05/05/2006)
Consumers who use a new generation of cosmetics are being used as "guinea pigs", scientists said yesterday.
Researchers called for the tightening of testing procedures governing face and sun creams, dietary supplements and other products that harness the special properties of tiny particles of matter, known as nanotechnology.
Some of the beauty products which make use of nanotechnology
About 100 people in Germany suffered health problems at the end of March after using a bathroom sealant called Magic Nano.
Nanotechnology involves working with ultra-small matter. Many scientists define it as use of particles measuring in the range of 1-100 nanometres. One nanometre is one-millionth of a millimetre and a human hair measures about 80,000 nanometres in width.
Such particles already exist in the air, produced for example by the burning of fossil fuels and volcanoes, but scientists can now engineer materials at tiny sizes to give them useful properties.
Nano-particles made of metals, alloys and ceramics are already used in many products, including sunscreens.
Researchers at the US-based Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies yesterday announced the setting up of an internet directory of more than 200 products that claim to use nano-technology. Face creams that use nano-particles include L'Oreal's Revita-Lift treatment mask and Lancome Renergie Morpholift. Some Soltan sun creams, produced by Boots and Oxonica, also make use of nano-technology.
Scientists suggest there could be dangers linked to the ability of nano-particles to cross into areas of the body that larger particulates cannot reach.
Speaking at the Science Media Centre in London yesterday, Andrew Maynard, of the Project on Emerging Nano-technologies, said: "In a sense we are using humans as guinea pigs with a lot of these products. There are few proven risks but there are proven hazards. We know that nano-particles can react with other materials in the lungs in a range of different ways. One of the difficulties is whether the toxicity tests done for the authorities is adequate to detect the effects of particles in this size range."
In March in Germany, Magic Nano, an aerosol glass and ceramic tile sealant, was recalled by its manufacturer. About 100 people who used the spray suffered health problems, including a number of cases who required hospital treatment for water accumulation in the lungs. Most recovered quickly and Kleinmann, the manufacturer, said it was not the nanotechnology that was at fault but an anti-corrosion liquid in the aerosol.
A Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering study concluded that most nanotechnologies posed no new risks but highlighted potential hazards and called for tighter controls. Some critics say little has been done.
Dr Tony Gettins, a scientific adviser at Boots, said: "We carefully research all ingredients. Optisol, the form of microfine titanium dioxide used in some Soltan products, does not penetrate the skin and does not represent a safety risk to consumers."
A spokesman for L'Oreal and its brand Lancome said: "All products are subjected to thorough tests. Research has proved that the ingredients penetrate no further than the top layers of the epidermis and are therefore safe."
The inventory can be found at www.nanotechproject.org.
Far too many people must be trying to get in touch with their inner child.
And from what I observe in everyday public behavior, that inner child is a two-year old that is long overdue for a nap.
Or a two-year old that is due for a good, old-fashioned spanking. ;)
Good grief. Bubba's selling that too?
I'm sure that PETA's happy about that. :=)
My mother-in-law is 53. She got a face lift and liposuction a few weeks ago. Her face was horribly swollen for three weeks. We still can't figure out why. She's was a size 7 before and although she had some wrinkles they looked pretty. My husband couldn't stop laughing about her getting this done (this is when he was on the phone with her). She said I would be likely to understand why she "needed" to have this work done. I still can't. I decided not to tell her about my 93 year old Grand Aunt who has a lot of wrinkles and is just beautiful.
I guess they should have never gotten rid of the animal testing then?
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