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Scientists meet to discuss health implications of nanoparticles

January 07, 2004

The possible health implications of nanoparticles will be discussed at a major academic conference, Nanotox 2004, taking place at the Daresbury Laboratories in Cheshire, UK, next week on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th January.

Nanotox 2004 is organised jointly by the Royal Microscopical Society and the Electron Microscopy and Analysis Group (EMAG) of the Institute of Physics. It brings together experts in the science of materials, particularly nanoscale materials, with biomedical scientists studying the health effects of nanoparticle exposure in order to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms for toxicity and to develop new methods of research.

Highlights will include:

Sizzling powerlines - how they help us understand health problems associated with nanoparticles
Have you ever walked near a high voltage powerline and heard the cables sizzling? If so, have you ever wondered why this happens? Scientists in the Physics Department at Bristol University will present new research that is looking at sizzling powerlines as a way of understanding the health effects of nanoparticles.

Nanoparticle danger to preganant women demands careful hazard assessment
Vyvyan Howard, co-organiser of Nanotox 2004, will warn that the manufacture of new nanoparticles below 200nm must be carefully policed and licenses awarded only after thorough hazard assessment. He will draw attention to the fact that a major, and as yet unanswered, set of questions are whether internalised nanoparticles can become bioavailable to the fetus in pregnant women and what the consequences might be. He will take an evolutionary perspective, looking at the difference between nanoparticles that humans have been exposed to throughout history and the new particles now being created in bulk.

Preventing exposure to potentially dangerous air pollutants
Steffan Loft will present new research into the exposure of humans to ultra-fine particles such as those found in exhaust fumes from cars. By understanding the mechanisms of exposure, his team hope to be able to offer new ways of preventing the damage to the body it can cause.

Children and bioterrorism surveillance to benefit from new nanoparticle exposure test
Children and bioterrorism surveillance will benefit from a new method of measuring exposure to nanoparticles. Dr Grigg and colleagues have, for the first time, measured the amount of particles in the main particle-removing cell of the lung: the "alveolar macrophage" or "AM". He will present the results of this research and look at how this test can be used to help scientists understand exposure of vulnerable populations such as children to nanoparticles. Infectious particles are also taken up by the AM and so this research could help understand the damaging effects of agents used in bioterrorism.

How nanotechnology can help understand major diseases and combat cancer
New techniques in nanotechnology could have applications in the life sciences which will help scientists better understand major diseases and that could help combat cancer. These techniques are currently being applied to cancer treatment, atherosclerosis, tissue engineering, lung inflammation and thrombosis. Paul Borm will outline how this new technology will impact on the life sciences.

- The geology of the human body: biominerals
- Preventing cells eating nanoparticles could help make them more compatible with the body
- How small a particle can we see?
- Understanding how particles and the human body interact

Institute of Physics