Truth is, a nanoparticle just behave very different from their bigger and more visible counterpart. For example, a study found out that cadmium selenide or famously known as ” quantum dots ” can cause poisoning in humans. Then, another study shows how gold nanoparticles can easily transfer from a mother’s placenta to the precious life inside her womb. Even nanoparticles in your seemingly harmless sunscreen have been known to create free radicals that wreaks havoc to your very own DNA.

What you cannot see won’t harm you, or perhaps, you should think twice about it. Remember that when elements are broken down into nanoparticles, their makeup also change, which can affect how toxic these particles can be to the human body. The biggest risks come to those who work in the industry of nanotechnology since nanoparticles can move freely in your lung’s last defense and expose people to risk of lung infections and diseases. Although nanoparticles have very promising uses for curing cancer cells and other chronic diseases in the future, just imagine if these miracle cure find itself airborne and inhaled by a healthy person who never has any chronic illness. Or perhaps, you can take a look at asbestos dust which everyone assumed to be safe, but which have caused around 3,000 deaths annually by accumulating inside the body and causing cancer from within.

According to the Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, Chinese researchers have found that PAMAMs or ployamidoamine dendrimers, nanoparticles used widely in medicines, can cause lung damage which is started when cels begins to die ( authophagic cell death ). Their studies also found out that using an inhibitor prevented lung damage in mice test subjects. When nanoparticles were first developed by German scientists in the 80’s, we now have almost every consumer product laced with it – from cosmetics, electronics, toys, to sporting goods. Nnaotechnology’s appeal to medicine may make drugs more effective by targeting specific areas or detecting diseases, but concern must be taken when it comes to the safety of these products. Not only is there a great risk for lung damage, but other vital organs may be affected as well.

The problem with nanoparticles come with indirect exposure where a person accidentally come in contact with these particles. Our bodies have protective barriers of cells that separates blood from vital organs and if these tiny particles can pass through these barriers, we can only imagine what it would do to the human DNA. Even from a distance, these micro-particles can cause significant risk when you are exposed to it. The only question is whether it is acceptable to be involuntarily exposed to these particles or not. Would you even know the difference?

Dangers of Molecular Nanotechnology: