The question is asked by Australian M.Ds and experts. The Friends of the Earth association passes on the information now. Its conclusion: nano-particles, further to being a risk for our health, would be useless in sunscreens, giving no additional efficiency. This is an opinion, and arguments to champion it, which will probably give rise to opponents in the cosmetic world.
Media Release – Friends of the Earth
In interviews for last night’s report on Today Tonight (Jan 3, 2012), health experts have again questioned the need for nano-ingredients in sunscreens.
“With nano-particles, rather than reflecting the ultraviolet light, they actually absorb it, and from absorbing that ultraviolet light, they produce free radicals at the surface of the nanoâ€?particle. And that could be a mechanism by which skin cancer could be produced,” dermatologist Dr Robert Salmon said.
“The smaller we make these particles, the more likelihood there is it will penetrate our skin, where they can do further damage,” said Dr Gregory Crocetti, from the Friends of the Earth Nanotechnology Project.
Cancer Council CEO Dr Andrew Penman adds “They are simply not necessary for sunscreen effect. They don’t add to the sunscreen quality.”
Dr. Salmon also warns that certain people are more at risk when wearing nano-sunscreens: “Anyone that has a decreased barrier function in the skin, nano-particles penetrate further. They’ll be people such as those that develop eczema, patients that are on certain treatments for acne.”
Also more vulnerable are outdoor workers and young children who wear nano-sunscreens every day.
“Some of the studies show that with lots of flexion …
