Title: The Impact of Nanoparticle-Containing Consumer Products on Indoor Air Quality and Human Health
A new study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment has revealed that the movement of people in a space where nanoparticle-containing consumer products have been sprayed can result in the suspension of nanoparticles into the air. Furthermore, children are found to be more affected than adults due to their proximity to the ground.
According to Gediminas Mainelis, the lead researcher of the study, “If an adult is walking in a room, and steps on some of these deposited particles, we found that the particles will be re-suspended in the air and rise as high as that person’s breathing zone. A child playing on the floor inhales even more because the concentrations of particles are greater closer to the ground.”
Nanoparticles are tiny flecks of material ranging in size from 1 to 100 nanometers. They can be found in various household products such as cleaners, disinfectants, sunscreen, hairsprays, and cosmetic mists and powders. Due to their small size, nanoparticles differ substantially from the properties of the same material in bulk form. Some nanoparticles are stronger or have different magnetic properties, exhibit different conductivity or reactivity, reflect light better or change color.
While it is still too early to determine the long-term effects of these particles on human health, it is crucial to increase public awareness of the potential risks. Scientists have found that nanoparticles may differ in terms of being more toxic, with consequences for human health. However, there is limited knowledge of the potential for exposure to nanoparticles from consumer products and the resulting health effects.
To investigate the resuspension of nanoparticles from consumer products, Mainelis and his team constructed an enclosed, air-controlled chamber in a section of his laboratory. They used a small robot to simulate the actions of a child and measured the results after seven products containing nanoparticles of silver, zinc, and copper were sprayed into the air.
The study confirmed that nanoparticles were released by the tested sprays and reached the human breathing zone. The researchers also found that children could be exposed to higher particle mass concentrations than adults during spraying and the resuspension of deposited particles. The study also showed that resuspension of particles from carpets produced a higher concentration of particles than from vinyl flooring.
The research is crucial in guiding individuals on approaches to protect health. According to Mainelis, “We can use this knowledge to minimize our exposures, in this case to various nanomaterials. Overall, this work could help us understand the resulting exposures and support future studies on human exposure reduction.”
In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of nanoparticle-containing consumer products on indoor air quality and human health. While further studies are needed, the public should be aware of the potential risks associated with the use of these products. It is crucial to increase public awareness and promote precautionary measures to minimize exposure to nanoparticles.