Hi-Tech Set to Increase Disease

October 21, 2003
By Tara Womersley

Heart disease and cancer could be caused by everyday items whose manufacture is set to become commonplace, a leading expert will warn today.
 
Professor Ken Donaldson, an expert in lung toxicology, believes technological advances within industry could seriously impact on our health.
 
He will focus on the growing use of smaller particles - nanoparticles - which are set to have a major impact on manufacturing as well as drug treatment.
 
Prof Donaldson, who is giving his inaugural lecture at Edinburgh University, believes that research is needed on the potential harmful side-effects of the nanotechnology revolution.
 
Nanoparticles, which have been implicated in lung damage, are already present in diesel soot, boot polish, tyres and photocopier toner, and the technology is being developed in products such as paint, sunblock, food and clothes.
 
The technology involves manipulating atoms and molecules 80,000 times smaller than the width of a hair.
 
Prof Donaldson said the surface area of particles is involved in a chain reaction that sets off free radicals harmful to the lungs. Because nanoparticles are so small, their mass encompasses a greater surface area, with potentially more adverse implications.
 
Prof Donaldson said: "Reduction of levels of dust in our places of work and the general environment has been a success story, in the West at least, but we must remain vigilant. For example, the development of nanotechnology is predicted to improve our lives, but these very small nanoparticles look to have considerable potential to cause harm to the lungs.
 
"Already, the damaging effects of air pollution in cities look like it is driven mostly by traffic-derived nanoparticles."
 
©2003 Scotsman.com
 
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