Nano & Me - Technology in our lives

Nano in textiles and clothing

Safety issues

The safety issues associated with nano stain-resistant coatings are generally concerns that the coatings themselves may detached from the surface they are used on and enter the body or be dispersed in the environment.

Though the quantities are likely to be very small and most of the materials used in these textile coatings have been around for decades, experts consider more studies need to be done to have clear answers to safety questions.

Nano silver

Concerns have been widely raised about the use of silver nanoparticles in many products. The risk of silver nanoparticles in textiles has not been definitively determined, though nor has it been thoroughly researched. Evidence of silver nanoparticles risk is limited at this point, but experts consider that much more research is needed. Concerns are mainly around:

Nano silver in the body...

While silver has a long history of safe use, there are concerns about the antibacterial effects if the particles enter the body. In this instance it may kill not just the harmful bacteria in our bodies but also upset the balance of the beneficial organisms which help us with our digestion and to fight disease.

...and the waste streams

In addition, there are concerns that nano silver will detach from the fabrics through washing and enter the sewage system where it may accumulate and disrupt the treatment of sewage or affect other water sources.

This happened in the past when silver was flushed into the sewage as a by product of photography, though it is also argued that the amounts of silver being used in these new types of application are very small, and will be particularly dilute if it reaches the sewage system.

Fighting bacteria

Whilst this is not just a problem for nano silver - many other anti-bacterial products may have the same effect - scientists are concerned that increasingly widespread use of nano silver as an anti-bacterial agent.

They are concerned that silver it will lose its effectiveness in fighting bacteria as bacteria can become resistant through increased exposure. This has also not been proven, but is an area that many people feel needs much more research.