With New Case Report, Nanotoxicologists Emerge, Little by Little

June 13, 2014- A recent medical case has raised a new concern over the lack of safety procedures in labs using nanoparticles, extremely microscopic machines used in hundreds of technology applications in nearly every industry.

In an article entitled "Poisoned nanotech scientist’s case exposes unknown dangers of new particles," RawStory.com writes about a report published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

The report tells of a young chemist who was working with nickel nanoparticle powder at a workbench using no safety procedures. In time she began to suffer throat irritation, facial flushing and nasal congestion and her skin began to react to nickel earring posts and a belt buckle.

Tests confirmed the 26-year old scientist was allergic to nickel. Her recurrent symptoms prevented her from returning to work.

The report shines a light on nanotoxicologists, the little-known professionals who study the effects of exposure to nanoparticles.

"Prior to the new report, the deleterious effects of nanoparticle exposure had only been observed in rats and mice," said the Nanotechnology Toxicology Consulting and Training Institute (NTCT), in a statement quoted in the RawStory post.

"That is what makes this case is so important … It provides documented confirmation of a human handling nanoparticles in the workplace and developing health effects, specifically allergic sensitization, breathing problems, and rash. The concern among toxicologists is that these particles may cause unknown effects at even tiny doses and therefore lead to longer term health problems like cancer.”

Read the full Rawstory.com post here. The American Journal of Industrial Medicine's "Occupational handling of nickel nanoparticles: A case report" is available here.

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