Potentially dangerous, unlabelled or even unauthorized nanoparticles present in certain products

The Avicenn association, which informs citizens about the challenges of nanosciences and nanotechnologies, has just published a damning investigative report on the nanoparticles in several everyday products.

Named ” In search of nanos in everyday products (Source 1), this report reveals that out of 23 products that the association had analyzed, 20 products contained nanoparticles, which were not not always indicated on the packaging, and not always authorized in France.

The association cites in particular:

• products for children: Guigoz infant milk, Snazaroo festive make-up, a toothbrush from the Signal Kids range, Slime paste powder, relaxer cream for children (Scalp-Care-Relaxer DARK AND LOVELY)…
• Where commonly used by older people: anticoagulant medicine (Xarelto 20mg BAYER), a L’Oréal spray to cover gray hair…
• but also more general productssuch as cosmetics (L’Oréal, Nivea, Labello), Herta brand pastry, Aosta ham, Solgar vitamin C, Royal Canin dog food, Nana menstrual panties, menstrual cup from Claripharm, Uniqlo men’s boxer shorts, etc.

In detail, it was titanium dioxide in nano form for 10 products (cosmetics and medicine in particular),silver in the form of nanoparticles for 4 products (textiles in particular), silica for 6 food products, and nano iron oxide for 5 products (cosmetics or medicine).

For Avicenn, these results “show how much labeling [nano] is eminently failing”. “Although not labeled “nano”, the majority of products in which we have detected nanos are covered by the European “nano” labeling obligation which has prevailed for nearly ten years for cosmetics, food products, biocidal products”, deplores the association.

As for the presence of nanos in other product categories, this highlights “the need to extend the labeling obligation [nano] to product categories which are unfortunately still not concerned to date”, estimates the association.

Contrary to the National Health Security Agency, the Avicenne association declares that it considers that the exclusion of nanomaterials only should not be considered “when there are equivalents in terms of effectiveness“but as soon as the benefit/risk analysis is unfavourable. Transparency, knowledge and vigilance are the three key words put forward by the association to further protect consumers.