There is a concern that nanomaterials may cause adverse effects on developmental toxicity and may be able to pass cell membranes, the placental barrier and other biological barriers in the human body.
DHI together with the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment have carried out A critical review of studies on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of nanomaterials. Based on a screening of 2,152 publications, 111 relevant experimental animal studies covering 19 nanomaterials were reviewed in more detail.
The majority of the identified studies investigated the effects of nanomaterials in males, whereas females were much less studied. Moreover, the effects on reproductive performance have only been sparsely investigated.
Testing of nano titanium dioxide and silver in nanoform was most frequent and together contributed with 48% of the reviewed studies. Nano titanium dioxide and nano silver both have widespread uses.
The project was carried out on behalf of the EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON).
For more information, please contact:
Poul Bo Larsen
pbl@dhigroup.com
Tel +45 4516 9478
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