Nanoparticles: What's the big deal?

You may be aware of the newest catchword in advertising: nanoparticles. These are some of the very smallest pieces of molecules that scientists have been able to manipulate. The reasons? Similar to the reasons for creating smaller faster microchips for computers, if certain aspects of a food or a material or a medicine can be made smaller, it is thought that it will function better and faster. Well, this may be the case in ways we never imagined. Part of the concern now is that these extremely small particles are able to create really big problems. They can undergo drastic structural changes really quickly which can cause them to react with their environment in unpredictable ways. Some can react in volatile ways with other chemicals, and others can change the way intracellular processes happen. There are reports that the toxicity of these nanoparticles increases as their size decreases. Until we know more about the long term effects on human and planetary systems, it is probably best to avoid products that tout these Frankensteinian characteristics. Choose a non-nano face cream, especially when it comes to sunscreens.