Sunscreens with Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nano-Particles

A Societal Experiment

Journal article (2010)

Authors

J.F. Jacobs

I. Van de Poel

P. Osseweijer

Department

Biotechnology () (TU Delft)

DOI: https://doi.org/doi:10.1007/s11569-010-0090-y

Ethics Uncertainty Nanotechnology Nanomaterial Environmental health and safety (EHS) Risk assessment and management Societal experimentation Sunscreen Titanium dioxide (TiO2) UV protection

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Published Date

20-06-2010

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Source:

Nanoethics, 4 (2), 2010

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

Biotechnology

Abstract

The risks of novel technologies, such as nano(bio)technology cannot be fully assessed due to the existing uncertainties surrounding their introduction into society. Consequently, the introduction of innovative technologies can be conceptualised as a societal experiment, which is a helpful approach to evaluate moral acceptability. This approach is illustrated with the marketing of sunscreens containing nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles. We argue that the marketing of this TiO2 nanomaterial in UV protective cosmetics is ethically undesirable, since it violates four reasonable moral conditions for societal experimentation (absence of alternatives, controllability, limited informed consent, and continuing evaluation). To remedy the current way nanosized TiO2 containing sunscreens are utilised, we suggest five complementing actions (closing the gap, setup monitoring tools, continuing review, designing for safety, and regulative improvements) so that its marketing can become more acceptable.

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