Recent Study is First to Suggest Death from Exposure to Nanoparticles

This post was written by Tony Klapper and Jesse Ash.

A study published this summer claims an association exists between exposure to nanoparticles and the deaths of two workers and the illnesses of five others in a horribly ventilated, cramped Chinese factory.  While the authors conclude that long-term exposure to nanoparticles without protective measures may be related to serious damage to human lungs, the study has several significant flaws.  This Reed Smith client bulletin provides some details on the study's findings and its weaknesses while framing the results in the larger context of the need to employ appropriate risk management practices when making or using nanomaterials.