Nano Hazards: Exposure to minute particles harms lungs, circulatory system

Nanomaterials, the current darlings of industry, are showing up in products ranging from cosmetics to electronics. However, new animal studies indicate that inhaling these microscopic spheres and tubes could cause big trouble, especially for workers who manufacture and handle them.

SMALL-SCALE HAVOC. Healthy mouse-lung tissue (left) contrasts starkly with nanotube-laden scar tissue (center, at right).