Nanotechnology threatens to generate new hazards in the form of toxic molecules that can enter the lungs, it was claimed today.
Expert Professor Ken Donaldson said tiny particles in diesel soot, boot polish, tyres and photocopier toner were already implicated in lung damage.
Developing nanotechnologies in an increasing range of products, including paint, sunblock, food, drugs and clothes could present a host of new threats, he warned.
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating atoms and molecules 80,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
Professor Donaldson, from the University of Edinburgh, said the emerging technology needed to be closely monitored.
He will spell out his warning tomorrow (Tuesday) in a lecture at the university entitled "Every Breath You Take: Particles and Lung Disease".
In it he will describe the huge toll of ill health caused throughout history by dust.
Professor Donaldson will outline his research applying the techniques of molecular medicine to understanding diseases caused by harmful dusts such as asbestos, quartz, volcanic ash and traffic soot.
"Reduction of levels of dust in our places of work and the general environment has been a success story in the West at least, but we must remain vigilant," he said.
"For example, the development of nanotechnology is predicted to improve our lives, but these very small nanoparticles look to have considerable potential to cause harm to the lungs.
"Already, the damaging effects of air pollution in cities looks like it is driven mostly from traffic-derived nanoparticles."
source: http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2074380 21oct03
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