Monday, November 23, 2009

Report of Human deaths by Nanoparticles

Two women in China have achieved the dubious honor of being the first humans to be killed by nanotechnology. The women, who worked in a poorly ventilated factory spraying a paint that contained nanoparticles, reportedly inhaled the particles over a period of months. The tiny compounds infiltrated the workers' lungs and skin, causing lung damage, fluid buildup, and eventual respiratory failure. Five other women have been hospitalized for the same condition [1].

Ceria nanoparticles in human lung fibroblasts, picture Prof. Wendelin Stark [2].

References:
[1] China Reports the First Human Nano-Fatalities
[2] http://www.micronano.ethz.ch/opportunities_and_risks/risks