- News Articles - Reports & Articles - Public Consultations

• News Articles on Nanotechnology & Cosmetics

- Report suggests nanotechnology will lead to a new personal care category
13 July 2010 - Cosmetics Design

- More Bad News About Sunscreens: Nanoparticles
2 June 2010 - AOL News

- Some nano-sunscreens "come at a cost'
8 March 2010 - ABC Science Online

- Cellular toxicity of titanium dioxide nanotubes and nanowires
27 July 2009 - NanoWerk, USA

- No nano labelling despite concerns
12 July 2009 - The Syndey Morning Herald, Australia

- Industry critics give nanotechnology sunscreens the thumbs up
3 July 2009 - 2020 Science, USA

- Zinc oxide nanoparticles damage stem cells in the brains of mice
11 May 2009 - SafeNano, UK

- Nano cosmetics may carry big risks
27 April 2009 - Friends of the Earth, Australia

- Trade body fights back against criticisms of new EU rules
1 April 2009 - Cosmetics Design, USA

- Nanoparticles in cosmetics/personal care products may have adverse environmental effects
26 March 2009 - EurekAlert, USA

- MEPs approve new rules on safer cosmetics
24 March 2009 - European Parliament News, EU

- Nanoparticles from sunscreens damage microbes
24 March 2009 - Environmental Health News, USA

- Nanoparticles used in sunscreens, cosmetics, harm next generation - mice study
18 March 2009 - Friends of the Earth, Australia

- The Irresponsibility of nanoproduct releases
1 February 2009 - Agrarian Grrl's Journal, USA

Archives

• Reports & Articles on Nanotechnology & Cosmetics

A listing of nano-related cosmetics is provided by the NanotechProject in its Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory.

- Safe Sunscreen Guide - Friends of the Earth, Australia, December 2008
Australia’s first consumer guide to avoiding high risk ‘nanoparticle’ ingredients in sunscreens. Until now, Australians have had no ability to choose to avoid nano-sunscreens. Eighteen of 68 Australian brands surveyed by Friends of the Earth have told us that their sunscreens are now free of nanotechnology ingredients.

- No-nano sunscreens? - Consumer Reports, USA, December 2008
Tests we commissioned from an outside lab found nano-size ingredients in four of five purportedly nano-free products we bought between December 2007 and January 2008. They had nanoparticles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (or both). The maker of the sixth product tested never claimed it didn't have nano.

The risks these nanoparticles might pose and how they compare with the risks of other sunscreen ingredients remain unestablished. Consumers Union thinks the FDA should require safety testing for nano-size ingredients and labeling that discloses their presence.

- The Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetic Products - EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), March 2008

- Nanoparticles and Sunscreens: A Consumer Guide for Avoiding Nano Sunscreens - Friends of the Earth, USA, August 2007

The report includes information about the health and environmental risks that nanoparticles may pose. The guide also contains the results of a survey of sunscreen manufacturers that can help consumers choose which products to use.

- Nanotechnology, A Report of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Nanotechnology Task Force - FDA, July 2007

- Safety of nanomaterials in cosmetic products - SCCP (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products), UE, June 2007

- Beneath the Skin: Hidden Liabilities, Market Risk and Drivers of Change in the Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Industry - Investor Environmental Health Network, February 2007
The report describes a ticking time bomb scenario of a largely self-policed industry in which regulatory action by the U.S. FDA typically is triggered only by reporting from the companies themselves. "The result is a system that permits significant consumer exposure to occur before sufficiently rigorous safety testing is conducted - ultimately, a game of roulette which places consumers, manufacturers and investors at risk," said Sanford Lewis, an attorney specializing in corporate accountability and one of the report's authors.

- Public Meeting on Nanotechnology Materials in FDA Regulated Products - FDA, October 2006
Powerpoint presentations from researchers, associations, industrials, presented at the FDA's first major public meeting on regulating products containing nanotechnology materials

- Nanomaterials, Sunscreens and Cosmetics: Small Ingredients, Big Risks - Friends of the Earth, May 2006

This report details the extensive use of nanomaterials in more than 116 sunscreens, cosmetics and personal care products currently on the market, despite a lack of independent safety assessment and regulation. It states that many types of nanoparticles pose risks to consumers, workers and the environment.

- CTA Legal Petition on FDA's Failure to Regulate Health Threats from Nanomaterials - CTA, May 2006
The International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) and a coalition of consumer, health, and environmental groups file a formal legal petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling on the agency to address the human health and environmental risks of untested and unlabeled nanomaterials in consumer products (including sunscreens).

- Safety of sunscreens containing nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide - Australian Department of Health and Ageing, February 2006
At the present time around 70% of sunscreens with titanium dioxide and 30% of sunscreens with zinc oxide have these materials in nanoparticle form.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is monitoring the emerging scientific literature in this area and working cooperatively with international agencies to monitor these issues and ensure that appropriate action is undertaken if any risks are identified

• Public Consultations on Nanotechnology & Cosmetics

- Nanoparticles & Sunscreen Products August 23 to December 26, 2007 - Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA International Center for Technology Assessment Action Alert: "Take Action: Tell FDA to regulate unlabeled and untested nanomaterials in sunscreens"

- NanoCosmetics June to September 6, 2007 - European Commission, EU

- Public Meeting on Nanotechnology Materials November 2006 - Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA The International Center for Technology Assessment had drafted comments : http://www.icta.org/template/page.cfm?menu_id=54

Other consultations on nanotechnology related issues here

• Archive News Articles

2008

- Top Australian sunscreen brands pledge to avoid using high risk nano ingredients
17 December 2008 - NanoWerk, USA

- New Products Bring Side Effect: Nanophobia
3 December 2008 - New York Times, USA

- Slip, slop, slap in the face: concern over sunscreen chemicals
4 December 2008 - The Sunday Morning Herald, Australia

- Safety fears over nanocosmetics
5 November 2008 - BBC, UK

- Use of nanoparticles in cosmetics questioned
5 November 2008 - The Guardian, UK

- Beauty must face up to nano
5 November 2008 - Which?, UK

- Consumers Union urges FDA to conduct full scale safety review of nanoparticles in sunscreen
31 October 2008 - Consumers Union, USA

- When Particles Are So Small That They Seep Right Through Skin
30 September 2008 - University of Rochester, USA

- Sunburn increases risk of nanoparticle skin penetration
20 August 2008 - NanoWerk, USA

- FDA refining nanotechnology guidance
11 August 2008 - PharmaTechnologist.com, USA

- FDA Remains Asleep At the Wheel on the Dangers of Sunscreens, Besides Other Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
7 August 2008 - ExpertClick, USA

- Burning Questions: Are Sunscreens Containing Nanomaterials Safe?
16 July 2008 - Environmental Defense, USA

- Cosmetic concern
15 July 2008 - Down to Earth, India

- Skin Deeper: Nanotechnology and Cosmetics
14 July 2008 - Care2, USA

- The Dark Side of Sunscreens
21 June 2008 - Washington Post, USA

- Nano-sunscreens leave their mark
21 June 2008 - Andrew Maynard for SafeNano, UK

- Nano-supporters fight back against claims they pose health risk
11 June 2008 - Cosmetics Design, EU

- Groups demand EPA stop sale of 200+ potentually dangerous nano-silver products
1 May 2008 - NanoAction, USA

- Coalition Pushing Shareholder Resolutions at Avon and Dow
23 April 2008 - Sustainable Business, USA

- Natural nano sunscreens - a contradiction?
23 April 2008 - Cosmetic Design, UE

- Scientists issue safety warning on cosmetic nanomaterials
5 March 2008 - EurActiv, EU

- Stating the Obvious: Nano Cosmetics Risk Assessment is Inadequate
5 March 2008 - Environmental Defense, USA

- Organic retailer launches nano-info campaign
6 February 2008 - Cosmetic News, France

- Soil Association first organisation in the world to ban nanoparticles
15 January 2008 - Soil Association, UK

- Not just a pretty face - The side effects of cosmetic chemicals
January 2008 - Common Ground, Canada

2007

- This year resolve to update cosmetics to eco-friendly brands
31 December 2007 - Willamette Live, USA

- Nanotech Cosmetic Sector Continues to Grow
23 December 2007 - CareFair, Swizerland

- Consumers are still suspicious of nano cosmetics
21 December 2007 - CosmeticDesign, EU

- Legislation set to shape nanotech cosmetics
17 December 2007 - CosmeticDesign.com, USA

- Does coating nanoparticles make them safe(r) for cosmetics?
30 October 2007 - NanoWerk, USA

- Nanotechnology: Waiting for the Killer App
27 September 2007 - Nanotechnology Now, USA

- Safety of Cosmetics Containing Nanoparticles Questioned at BA Festival of Science
13 September 2007 - Azonano, Australia

- Nanotechnology: Small Wonders
10 September 2007 - WWD, USA

- FDA Proposes New Rule for Sunscreen Products
23 August 2007 - FDA News, USA

- Nanoparticles in Your Sunscreen: Too Hot To Handle? 14 August 2007 - New York Times Bits Blog, USA

- Friends of the Earth releases guide to help consumers avoid potentially harmful nanoparticles in sunscreens
14 August 2007 - Friends of the Earth, USA

- Skin deeper
24 July 2007 - Scripps News, USA

- Sunscreen safety
5 July 2007 - MLive.com, USA

- Science Thursday: Nano-particles in Cosmetics and Sunscreen
28 June 2007 - The Perfume Bee, USA

- Public consultation on Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetic Products
19 June 2007 - European Commission, UE

- Sunscreen: What About Nanoparticles?
21 June 2007 - EnviroBlog, USA

- Nanoparticle penetration of human skin – a double-edged sword
24 April 2007 - NanoWerk, USA

- Former FDA Official Calls for Increased FDA Nanotech Authority
24 April 2007 - Nanotechnology Law Report, USA

- Nanocosmetics: Buyer Beware - Is that expensive jar of skin cream on my dresser safe to use?
12 March 2007 - MIT Technology Review, USA

- What price beauty? Risk posed by toxics in cosmetics could leave unwary investors with a black eye
20 January 2007 - Investor Environmental Health Network, USA

- It really gets under your skin
19 January 2007 - St. Petersburg Times

- Fullerenes shown to penetrate healthy skin
5 January 2007 - NanoWerk, USA

2006

- Nanotechnology - in my toothpaste...?
4 December 2006 - Nanowerk, USA

- Chemicals In Cosmetics Linked To Cancer, Birth Defects
9 November 2006 - GNN, USA

- FDA told to watch nanotech products for risks
10 October 2006 - Newsweek, USA

- Lack of nanotech safety research 'serious'
24 July 2006 - Chicago Tribune, USA

- Nanotechnology: Come the Luddites, v.2
17 May 2006 - National Association of Manufacturers, USA

- Environmental groups want nanotech sunscreens pulled from market
16 May 2006 - San Diego, USA

- Cosmetics containing C60 nanoparticles are entering the market, even if their safety is unclear
27 March 2006 - Chemical & Engineering News, USA

- Safety of Nano-Cosmetics Questioned
13 March 2006 - National Public Radio (NPR), USA