They are already found in medicines, sunscreens, food packaging and industrial coatings. Nanotechnology is no longer a promise for the future: it is an established reality that interacts with our bodies and the environment every day.
Understanding what nanotechnologies are, where they are used, and the differences between safe and potentially hazardous nanomaterials is essential for anyone seeking to navigate a field that is rapidly expanding and still not fully regulated.
What Is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology involves the study and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, meaning dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometres. To put this into perspective, a nanometre is one billionth of a metre. A human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometres thick. The structures used in nanotechnology are therefore far too small to be seen with a conventional optical microscope.
However, nanotechnology is not simply a matter of size. At the nanoscale, many substances behave in ways that are radically different from their behaviour in their ordinary form.
What Makes Nanoparticles Different from the Same Materials at a Larger Scale?
A gold nanoparticle is not simply “small gold.” Its optical, electrical and chemical properties differ significantly from those of bulk gold. The same applies to many other materials: nanoparticles have a much higher surface-to-volume ratio, making them far more reactive. They can cross cellular membranes that would block larger molecules and interact with biological systems in ways that conventional forms of the same materials cannot.
These unique properties are what make nanoparticles valuable in medicine, cosmetics and industry. They are also the reason why a careful assessment of their potential risks is essential.
Main Applications of Nanotechnology
The applications of nanotechnology span a wide range of industries. In some cases, the technologies are already mature and widely used. In others, they are still at the stage of advanced research and development.
Medicine and Pharmaceuticals
In the medical field, some of the most significant applications involve cancer diagnostics and targeted drug delivery. Nanoparticles can be engineered to enhance signals in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), improving the ability to detect tumours at an early stage.
On the therapeutic side, one of the primary goals of nanomedicine is the ability to transport drugs through the bloodstream and selectively direct them to the tissue that requires treatment. The benefits are substantial: less drug dispersed throughout the body means fewer side effects and lower doses needed to achieve the same therapeutic outcome.
Nanotechnologies are also used to improve the absorption of trace elements, minerals and vitamins whose bioavailability in conventional forms is often limited.
Cosmetics and Skincare
In cosmetics, nanomaterials are primarily used to improve the penetration of active ingredients through the skin barrier. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles are common ingredients in sunscreens. At the nanoscale, they become transparent on the skin while retaining their ability to filter harmful UV radiation.
The encapsulation of active ingredients in biodegradable nanoparticles is one of the most promising technologies in the cosmetics industry. It makes it possible to protect unstable substances, such as vitamin C, from oxidation, improve the residence time of active compounds on the skin, and control their release over time rather than depositing them all on the surface at the moment of application. This is the approach developed by Nanomnia, using exclusively biocompatible and microplastic-free materials.
Food Industry
In the food sector, nanomaterials are less visible but equally widespread. Titanium dioxide (E171) has traditionally been used as a colouring agent to make sweets, candies and confectionery products appear whiter and more visually appealing. Depending on the product, a proportion of this ingredient may consist of nanoparticles.
Nanometre-scale coatings of synthetic or metallic origin are also used in certain kitchen utensils and food-contact materials. If these coatings become scratched or deteriorate, they may release nanoparticles into food. The potential intestinal effects associated with this type of exposure remain an active area of scientific research.
Materials and Industry
In industry, nanomaterials are used across a broad range of applications. Examples include carbon nanotubes employed in vehicles, electronic circuits and flat-panel displays, as well as iron nanoparticles used in wastewater treatment and purification. Silver nanoparticles are incorporated into textiles and packaging materials because of their antimicrobial properties.
In the construction sector, phase-change materials encapsulated within nanostructured coatings can improve the energy efficiency of buildings by reducing heat loss and enhancing thermal regulation.
Are Nanomaterials Safe?
The honest answer is: it depends on the specific nanomaterial, the level of exposure and the context in which it is used. Numerous studies are currently underway, but regulation has not always kept pace with the rapid spread of nanomaterials in consumer products.
What Do International Authorities Say?
The EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) has been monitoring the sustainability of various nanomaterials for years, seeking to establish exposure limits throughout the entire product life cycle, from manufacturing to disposal. Materials under evaluation include carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles and cerium oxide nanoparticles.
In Europe, the Sustainable Nanotechnologies Project (SUN) brought together 100 scientists from 25 research organisations across 12 countries to assess the risks associated with the most widely used commercial nanomaterials. The 140 scientific papers produced by the project contributed to the development of guidelines for safer manufacturing processes.
The EU-OSHA (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work) has also updated its guidance documents on manufactured nanomaterials in occupational settings, providing information on health risks, the main routes of exposure (inhalation, dermal absorption and ingestion), and recommended preventive measures.
The Labelling Transparency Issue
In 2018, the French consumer association Que Choisir analysed a sample of food and cosmetic products available on the market and found undeclared nanoparticles in 87% of the food products tested and 39% of the cosmetics examined. Among the documented cases were Mars M&M’s, where 35% of the titanium dioxide present was in nanoparticle form without any indication on the product label.
The obligation to declare the presence of nanomaterials on cosmetic labels has existed in Europe since 2013. However, enforcement remains inconsistent and inspections are not always systematic. In the food sector, the situation is even more fragmented.
Sustainable Nanotechnologies: Biocompatibility and Biodegradability
Not all nanotechnologies present the same risk profile. From a safety perspective, the most important distinction is between synthetic or metallic nanomaterials and biocompatible, biodegradable nanomaterials.
Synthetic nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes or titanium dioxide nanoparticles, can persist in the environment and may accumulate in biological tissues. In contrast, nanomaterials based on polysaccharides, lipids, proteins and natural resins degrade naturally without leaving toxic residues behind.
This distinction lies at the core of Nanomnia’s approach. All formulations developed for the cosmetic, agrochemical, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors use exclusively biocompatible, biodegradable and microplastic-free materials. The goal is to harness the functional advantages of nanotechnology, such as controlled release and targeted delivery, while avoiding the environmental and toxicological concerns associated with persistent materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology involves the study and use of materials at the nanoscale, meaning dimensions that are billions of times smaller than a metre. At this scale, materials can acquire properties that differ significantly from their conventional form: they become more reactive, can cross biological membranes and interact with cells in highly specific ways. These characteristics make them valuable in medicine, cosmetics, food applications and industry.
In far more places than most people realise. Nanomaterials are used in sunscreens, cosmetics, dietary supplements, food colourings, cookware coatings, antimicrobial textiles, packaging materials, electronic circuits and vehicles. More than 500 commercial products currently contain nanomaterials as part of their formulation or design.
It depends on the type of nanoparticle. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles used in sunscreens are closely monitored by health authorities and, in their current formulations, have not shown evidence of systemic accumulation. Greater concerns are associated with persistent synthetic nanomaterials that do not readily degrade and may accumulate in tissues. Formulations based on biocompatible and biodegradable materials generally offer a much more favourable safety profile.
A biocompatible nanomaterial does not cause adverse reactions when it comes into contact with biological tissues. It is non-toxic, non-immunogenic and does not interfere with normal cellular functions. Biocompatibility is not the same as biodegradability, although the two characteristics often coexist in the safest formulations. Materials derived from natural sources, such as polysaccharides, lipids and proteins, are generally both biocompatible and biodegradable.
Biotechnology works with biological systems, such as cells, enzymes and microorganisms, to produce useful substances or processes. Nanotechnology focuses on manipulating matter at the nanoscale, regardless of whether the materials are biological or synthetic in origin. The two fields increasingly overlap: nanobiotechnology combines nanoscale technologies with biological systems, for example by encapsulating active ingredients within natural biodegradable matrices.