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Every day, people are exposed to
 nanomaterials in products. 

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Nanomaterials are smaller than
conventional chemicals; 

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a thousand times smaller than the
diameter of a human hair, 

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giving them special properties. 

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Therefore, nanomaterials are currently
used in consumer products. 

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Examples are silver nanoparticles in
deodorant to camouflage odors,

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and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens
to obtain a higher protection factor. 

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Worldwide, a lot of research into new applications
of nanomaterials is being performed. 

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This research focusses for example on the
production of efficient solar cells, 

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dirt-repellent textiles, new anti-cancer drugs,

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and fast computers. Besides useful properties, 

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nanomaterials might have properties
that could harm the human health. 

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Therefore, at the RIVM we investigate
the potential health risks of 

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the use of nanomaterials in products. 

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Many sprays contain nanomaterials,

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therefore our research focuses on the effects
after inhalation of nanomaterials. 

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Moreover, the lungs are more vulnerable
than the skin,

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for example. To test the effect of nanomaterials
we developed a lung model

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in the laboratory. 

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The lung model consists of real
human lung cells. 

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We use the lung model to investigate
whether the nanomaterials cause damage 

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to the lungs after inhalation. 

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We also investigate if the nanomaterials
can reach the blood via the lungs and 

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from there other organs of the body. 

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This is not harmful if the nanomaterials are cleared, 

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but it might be dangerous if the nanomaterials
accumulate in other organs of the body.

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The term nanomaterials is an umbrella term. 

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All nanomaterials have in common that
they are small. 

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Besides that, nanomaterials can differ
in various properties. 

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They may differ in size, shape,
type, and coating. 

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All these properties might influence the
effect after inhalation,

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making the research very challenging.
Should the investigation find that 

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certain properties of nanomaterials
are dangerous, 

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the manufacturers will be warned.
In this way, 

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the RIVM contributes to
consumer safety.