Overview "Frequently Asked Questions on nanotechnology"

Has there already been a product in which the nanomaterials caused damage to health?

So far BfR has not received any reports about cases in which health damage was shown to have been caused by nanoparticles or nanomaterials. The health disorders, in some cases severe, which occurred after the use of so-called nano sealing sprays were not due to nanoparticles according to the BfR findings. More than 110, in some instances, severe cases of health disorders had been reported to the poison control and treatment centres and BfR by the end of March 2006. Consumers had used the products Magic Nano Glass Sealer and Magic Nano Ceramic Sealer in spray doses with a propellant. Initially it was thought that nanoparticles were involved in the lung function disorders. According, however, to information from the manufacturers and tests by BfR, the products did not contain any nanosized particles. It is still not clear what caused the respiratory disorders.