Out of 23 products tested, 20 contain nanoparticles, which are sometimes prohibited and not labelled: this is the alarming observation made by the Avicenn association following its investigation of everyday consumer goods and various categories.
"
We would not have bet on such a high proportion
," she wrote in her report published on Thursday.
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L'Oréal face powder, Knorr dehydrated soup, Signal children's toothbrush, Guigoz infant milk, Le Gaulois chicken cutlet blotting paper... So many products passed through electronic scanning by the National Metrology and Testing Laboratory (LNE). ) and who tested positive for titanium dioxide, silica, iron oxides or silver particles.
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Selected products were '
widely sold
' and '
more likely than others to contain nanos
(abbreviation of nanoparticles Editor's note), and yet the presence of these substances is indicative of legislative breaches and deceptions of industrialists, according to the association.
Thus, all the cosmetics tested contain unauthorized nanos (titanium dioxide or iron oxides), in proportions far exceeding the tolerated levels.
The Nana menstrual panties, the Baccide antiviral mask and the Signal toothbrush contain silver nanoparticles without displaying the mention [nano], which is compulsory at the time of their purchase.
Since January 2022, products with silver nanoparticles have also been banned from sale.
The presence of nanosilica, an anticoagulant widely used in powdered foodstuffs and referenced as E551,
castigates the report.
The breaches of European legislation which since 2014 has imposed the figuration of [nano] labeling on the packaging “
show the imperative need to reinforce reminders of the law, controls and sanctions by the authorities
”, insists Avicenn.
The association denounces “
the policy of the ostrich
” of the industrialists as of the legislative institutions.
Health risks
The small size of these elements favors their absorption then their diffusion in the body despite the protective barriers.
The effects vary depending on the nanos considered, the frequency and the quantities ingested.
Nanosilver thus poses risks to the nervous system and fertility.
Silica nanoparticles are responsible for DNA damage and immune disturbances.
The same goes for titanium dioxide which, since 2019, has been classified as carcinogenic at European level when inhaled.
Although banned in foodstuffs in 2022 due to its genotoxicity, titanium dioxide (E171) is still used in the composition of drugs or cosmetics likely to be ingested such as lipstick and toothpaste.
All solicited by the association, only nine brands out of fourteen were kind enough to respond.
Some such as Royal Canin, Knorr, L'Oréal, Snazaroo and Bayer have affirmed the compliance of their products with the regulations in force.
Others (Aoste, Signal, Guigoz and Nana) were "
surprised
" by these results and launched internal investigations.
Labello, Le Gaulois, Nivea, Uniqlo and Solgar remained silent.
Among the justifications, non-intentionality is put forward, while the production of nanoparticles requires a specific process.
“ Non-nano
” certificates
have also been presented, but these are from analyzes that are not precise enough to detect the thinnest particles (the ones most likely to penetrate the
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Faced with these alarming results, Avicenn calls for "
an intensification of efforts (...), both at the level of public authorities and at the level of companies
".
However, it is necessary to remember that the risks are minimal when the consumption of these products remains occasional.
