Platinum Nanoparticles - Biological Effects

Biological Effects

Research by Yusei Miyamoto at University of Tokyo, Japan, resulted in the use of platinum nanoparticles of the size 2-3 nm to increase the lifespan of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nanoparticles may present possible safety issues both medically and environmentally. Most of these issues usually arise due to the high surface to volume ratio, which can make the particles of some metals very reactive or catalytic. In particular, inhaled nanoparticles can pose health risks, and may cause inflammation and disease in the lung. They are able to pass through cell membranes in organisms and their interactions with biological systems are relatively unknown.

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