Nanosilver in consumer products and human health: more information required!

Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Sep 1;45(17):7589-90; author reply 7593-5. doi: 10.1021/es200804u. Epub 2011 Aug 5.

Abstract

Commenting on "120 Years of Nanosilver History: Implications for Policy Makers" (Environ. Sci. Technol.2011, 45, 1177-1183). The title of the article seduces readers to the impression that we can look back at more than a century of safe use of nanosilver. In this context, colloidal silver and nanosilver have been sometimes used as synonyms. Historically, the term "colloidal silver" refers to dispersed silver particles encompassing a size range of 10-1000 nm. Following scientific definitions, "colloid" stands for freely dispersed particles in a fluid (heterogenic) phase irrespective of its size distribution, while the term "nanosilver" is used for categorization by size. Of course, just the labeling as such neither necessarily implies new hazard properties nor any specific risks; however, uncertainties and data gaps at many levels call for careful consideration and usually should take effect as alert signal for regulatory toxicologists all over the world. Within the frame of this short commentary, we would like to focus on some unclarified issues related to consumer products.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Consumer Health Information*
  • Consumer Product Safety*
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / adverse effects
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Particle Size
  • Silver Compounds* / adverse effects
  • Silver Compounds* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Silver Compounds