The University of Plymouth scientists have for the first time confirmed the detrimental impact of nanoparticles on an animal’s brain and other spots of the central nervous system.
During their study on titanium oxide nanoparticles’ impact on fish, the scientists observed that the particles were the cause of holes or vacuoles formation in the brain parts and the death of the nerve cells in the brain. Even though researchers have already demonstrated the impact of nanoparticles in vitro systems and other cell cultures, this is for the first time their effect corroborated in a live vertebrate.
The findings of the study will be reported at the 6th International meeting on the Environmental Effects on Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials to be conducted at the Royal Society in London from 21 to 23 September 2011.
Lead scientist, Richard Handy stated that at this phase of the research, it is not clear whether these impacts are a result of the entry of the nanoparticles into the brain or by a secondary effect of nanoparticle reactivity or chemistry.
Professor Handy stated that it is worrying that effects of nanoparticles on the fish brain have some similarities with other materials such as mercury poisoning and what worrying is these materials may bioaccumulate and cause a gradual or permanent hazard to humans and wildlife.
The findings of Professor Handy's research and that of other scientists studying the nanoparticles’ biological effects may have an influence on policy regulations on the human safety and environmental protection of nanomaterials.