Children solsprej inhaled into the lungs – New Technology

     ”If the particles would come down in the alveoli, they can cause inflammation,” says Dr Karlsson, environmental toxicologist at the Karolinska Institute in Solna Photo: Jörgen Appelgren
     

Many sunscreen sprays containing nanoparticles that can be drawn into the lungs. Young children are especially känsliga.Inom EU is banning the sprays on the way.

In New report identifies SSNC benefits, risks and regulations for nanoparticles in different products. Nanoparticles are invisible to the eye, the smallest is only a millionth of a millimeter in diameter.

– Nanotechnology is both good and bad. The report highlights some products it is inappropriate to use them, says Mikael Karlsson, until recently chairman of the Nature Conservation.

Common solsprej containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles, belongs to them. Studies have shown that only 20 percent of the sunscreen sprayed on the body of skin contact. The rest float around like particles in the air. The risk is that the particles are inhaled and causes damage to the lung tissue. It has been the EU’s Committee on Consumer Protection, SCCS, found in 2013 and 2014 after a massive review of research studies.

In recent years, many manufacturers switched to using nanoparticles of metal oxide titanium dioxide in sunscreen. The reasons are two: it protects against a larger portion of the UV spectrum and the cream becomes transparent on the skin instead of white.

Titanium dioxide is the only physical sunscreens that are authorized in the EU. It works by reflecting the sun’s rays away from the skin. Titanium dioxide is also the sunscreen recommended for children under two years.

Hanna Karlsson is environmental toxicologist at the Karolinska Institute in Solna. Her focus is on metal oxides and their effects on lung cells. She is skeptical of all spray forms with nanoparticles.

– One gets a different kind of exposure if inhaled particles. We have huge areas of the lungs where it can take a pick. If the particles would come down in the alveoli, they can cause inflammation and where it is not at all the way to the blood, she says.

In her research, she has found that lung cells located in the liquid of titanium dioxide particles in nano form can damage DNA, which in turn may increase the risk of cancer. She has bought products with nanoparticles but never like spray.

– Right now there are too many uncertainties and therefore I avoid spray forms.

Children may be particularly vulnerable, according to Erik Melén a pediatrician at Sachs’ Children’s Hospital and the research on children’s exposure to airborne particles at the Karolinska Institute .

– In general, one can say that young children and even newborns, are more sensitive to particulates and air pollution than older children and adults . That is partly because they do not have the same ability to filter particles, so they can get further into the respiratory tract and lungs, he says.

What could happen then?

– What we have seen is that children exposed to higher levels of air pollution have poorer lung function later in life. So there is a risk that there could be permanent damage if exposed early in life.

Scientists believe that both nanoparticles and larger particles airborne can cause the effect. It is precisely airborne nanoparticles as EU scientific committee SCCS lifts warning flag for. As for creams, where the nanoparticles constitute more than 25 percent, they contrast the green light. Risk assessment is likely to be pushed through. Then it must also be incorporated into Swedish law.

pharmacy chain Apoteket AB has already opted out solsprej using titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

– In general, we follow the SCCS recommendations to the letter. The sprays are inhaled problem that is decisive, says Pär Svahnberg ingredient expert in pharmacy.

For the consumer, it is not easy to know what the sprays contains, or even if it is a spray. Because when Ny Teknik wonder why the pharmacy despite it sells a product called “Sunless Tanning Spray”, which contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, the answer is:

– It is an unfortunate name chosen because it is a liquid and not an aerosol. Exposure-wise, this corresponds to a skin cream. I’ll recommend that they change the name.

Peter Jansson, the trade association Chemical Engineering supplier Association, is an expert on law and technology issues as well as on sunscreen. He is well versed in the SCCS safety.

– When it comes to spray with nanoparticles that are biopersistent (not broken down in the body, reds defects) have SCCS a clear writing. The industry has no reason to go against it, he says.

The label shall state clearly whether a solsprej contains nanoparticles.

But even if it does not say anything so it can still be nanoparticles because “those using titanium dioxide in their products can not guarantee that they completely exclude the faction, “said Peter Jansson.

Is the conclusion that one should avoid sunscreen sprays completely?

– I would not use it on my two year old daughter. Maybe at the legs of my older children.