Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) revealed a number of nanomate-
rial-specific challenges requiring special consideration (OECD 2012). In this chapter
of the topic, some of those challenges will be highlighted using nanosilver as an
example.
19.3 USE(S) AND POTENTIAL SOURCES OF
NANOSILVER EXPOSURE
According to the WWICS database, nanosilver may be found in nearly every type
of consumer product. Silver nanoparticle powders and solutions are available for
general antibacterial use on surfaces, for self-medication purposes, or as food and
water supplement. It is also found in wound dressings. The inventory lists cosmetic
products including soap, cream, gel, foam, skin cleanser, toothpaste, mouthwash,
facemasks, whitening masks, and hair care spray. Moreover, cosmetic appliances
that utilize silver are wipes, toothbrushes, toothbrush sterilizers, shavers, epi-
lators, hair brushes, hair dryers, curling irons, hair straighteners, and make-up
instruments. Textiles are a large category including underwear and every kind of
clothing, bed linen, blankets, towels, pillows, and also laundry detergents, fabric
softener, and washing machines releasing silver. The database also lists shoes,
shoe deodorizers, and sanitizing shoe cabinets presumably containing nanosilver.
Products for babies in addition to textiles include supplemented water, pacifiers,
baby teeth developers, baby mugs, baby bottles, baby bottle brushes, mats for
diaper changing, carriages, and stuffed toys. Home appliances include kitchen-
ware, tableware, coffee makers, food storage containers, food storage bags, bev-
erage containers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, air sanitizers, air
conditioners, humidifiers, water taps, water filters, water purifiers, water ener-
gizers, locks, and foot massagers. Consumer electronics include computer key-
boards, computer mice, notebooks, and mobile phones. Further uses of silver are
in watchbands, ear protectors, toilet seats, yoga mats, rubber gloves, condoms,
inks, and wall paint.
Many of the products found at www.alibaba.com when searching for nanosil-
ver are the same or similar to the aforementioned products, or basic raw materi-
als for the manufacture of the said products such as fabrics, yarns, pigments,
plastic master batches, and ceramic balls. In addition, products not found in the
database of the WWICS are wallets, purses, hand bags, textile/leather finish-
ings, insoles, razors, hair clippers, dental floss, sanitary pads, diapers, mist facial
moisturizers, facial steamers, acupressure suction cups, breast milk pumps,
breast milk bags, baby rattles, computer/mobile phone cases, paints/paint addi-
tives, spray paint, glass coatings, wall coating, formaldehyde elimination (mould,
mildew) solutions (photocatalyst), coating additive, flooring tiles, jewellery, car
wax, thermal paste, ice packs, bath mats, boots keepers, backpacks, blenders,
microwave ovens, lamp reflectors, ultrasonic vegetable and fruit cleaners, and
ultrasonic denture cleaners.
In addition to its antibacterial activity, which is the basis of almost all of its con-
sumer-related use, nanoparticles of silver are also used in electronic components
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