ABC environmental activist misrepresents state of knowledge on sunscreen nano-particles

ABC's resident activist (one of many) Sara Phillips has another piece on nano-particles that misrepresents the science, and gives activists precedence over experts. Titled: Nano sunscreen may be made dangerous by detergent the article commences with an outright lie and just spirals into nonsense from there on.

"While the jury is still out on the safety of nano-particles in sunscreen, when combined with common household products, it may react in unexpected ways."

The jury is not out, it came in a while ago! Nano-particles in sunscreen are safe! 

The following comes from the CSIRO's website: 
Are sunscreens that contain nanoparticles safe to use?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is responsible for regulating sunscreens in Australia, reviewed the scientific literature in 2006 and concluded that:

• 'There is evidence from isolated cell experiments that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can induce free radical formation in the presence of light and that this may damage these cells (photo-mutagenicity with zinc oxide).'
• 'However, this would only be of concern in people using sunscreens if the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide penetrated into viable skin cells.'
• 'The weight of current evidence is that they remain on the surface of the skin and in the outer dead layer (stratum corneum) of the skin.'

The TGA updated its review in 2009, and again in 2013. The 2013 review concluded that ‘on current evidence, neither TiO2 nor ZnO NPs are likely to cause harm when used as ingredients in sunscreens’.

The following by Paul Wright (Associate Professor, Head of the Nanosafety Research Group, School of Medical Sciences at RMIT-University, founding co-ordinator of both Nanosafe Australia (www.rmit.edu.au/nanosafe) and Asia Nano Safe research networks, and nanosafety advisor to the Australian Nanotechnology Network (ANN). 

Time to dispel the fear of nanoparticles in sunscreens

Not all nanoparticles behave in the same way biologically, nor are all of them potentially hazardous. Indeed, many engineered nanoparticles are designed with both function and safety in mind. The substance that the nanoparticle is made from is of vital importance in any hazard assessment. And nano zinc oxide has been thoroughly assessed for safety when used in sunscreens and in lip products.

Excessive UV light on the other hand, poses a serious risk for skin damage and cancer. Rest assured that the nano sunscreens can be used safely, so don’t stop using the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen as part of your sun protection measures.

I recommend using non-aerosol zinc oxide sunscreens containing either nano or bulk particles. Their broad spectrum UV filtering ability (including the UVA range), and high UV resistance and negligible skin absorption make them the safest and best way to protect yourself from sunburn. If still in doubt, know that the same conclusions were made by the USEnvironmental Working Group in their 2012 sunscreen report.

No nano follow up

SMH report today: Scientists discover nanoparticles in sunscreen are harmless. We previously pointed out the misinformation being spread about zinc in sunscreens by AM.  Other ABC stories have been equally sensationalist and misleading. Just wondering how long it will take ABC's AM or its news division to notice this latest development. Bet the views of Friends of the earth will be given prominence.

We asked ABC's Alan Sunderland for comment.

UPDATE: Right on cue ABC cover the story and no surprise they give prominence to activist opinions of a career environmental campaigner over the experts. In comments FOE's Louise Sales further misrepresents the results of the recent work and further exaggerates the risks of nano-particles. 

We asked report author Simon James for more information. Here is his reply:

Here is some clarification about the current work; Zn is an essential nutrient, our bodies must have Zn in order to function (similar to iron or calcium). In 2013 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released a review of the literature (attached) which concluded ZnO nanoparticles present in sunscreens pose no risk to consumers when used as intended. Our manuscript dose acknowledges previous work which demonstrated that a very, very small amount of Zn from ZnO nanoparticles present in sunscreen can penetrate the skin when used in the field (attached). I want to be very clear that this work showed that the Zn from ZnO nanoparticles made up less than 0.001% of the total Zn detected. This is not a level of Zn which is associated with any safety concerns (to be honest I am impressed the authors could even make such a precision measurement). However, given the limitations of doing a field studies the authors could not conclude whether the Zn made it into the body as part of intact nanoparticles or in some other form. Our study built on this finding by asking the question, “If the nanoparticles do penetrate the skin can a macrophage break these objects down?” We are not the first to try and answer this question, indeed our work is merely a single study adding to a much larger body of work but we were able to go further than other groups and show direct evidence for cell mediated breakdown of ZnO nanoparticles.

NaNO information in AM's nanoparticle article

An article that places ABC's new service amongst the world's worst for spreading mis-information.

More nano-sunscreen claims revealed

"Yesterday the ABC revealed that at least 10 Australian sunscreen brands that claim to be free of nano-materials have unwittingly been using nanoparticles in their products.

Neither the safety nor the risks of nano-materials in sunscreens is scientifically proven."

What does the Cancer Council say?

Nanoparticles and sunscreen

Nanotechnology has been used in sunscreens for many years. To date, our assessment, drawing on the best available evidence, is that nanoparticulates used in sunscreens do not pose a risk. However, we continue to monitor research and welcome any new research that sheds more light on this topic.

Sunscreen formulas and their components are regulated through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In early 2009, the TGA conducted an updated review of the scientific literature in relation to the use of nanoparticulate zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreens.

The TGA review concluded that:

• The potential for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens to cause adverse effects depends primarily upon the ability of the nanoparticles to reach viable skin cells; and
• To date, the current weight of evidence suggests that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles do not reach viable skin cells; rather, they remain on the surface of the skin and in the outer layer of the skin that is composed of non-viable cells.

Nano nano

The Green ABC have found a new scare campaign to champion. This one concerns nano-particles in sunscreens. Oddly enough on this subject the ABC find plenty of time to air the views of non-experts.

Here's the current consensus from the Australian Cancer Council:

Nanoparticles and sunscreen

Nanotechnology has been used in sunscreens for many years. To date, our assessment, drawing on the best available evidence, is that nanoparticulates used in sunscreens do not pose a risk. However, we continue to monitor research and welcome any new research that sheds more light on this topic.

Sunscreen formulas and their components are regulated through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In early 2009, the TGA conducted an updated review of the scientific literature in relation to the use of nanoparticulate zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreens.

The TGA review concluded that:

• The potential for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens to cause adverse effects depends primarily upon the ability of the nanoparticles to reach viable skin cells; and
• To date, the current weight of evidence suggests that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles do not reach viable skin cells; rather, they remain on the surface of the skin and in the outer layer of the skin that is composed of non-viable cells.

The TGA's report concerning the safety of sunscreens can be found at:www.tga.health.gov.au/alerts/sunscreens.htm