Research by scientists at Trinity College Dublin has found that exposure to nanoparticles can have a serious impact on health, linking it to rheumatoid arthritis and the development of other serious autoimmune diseases.

The evaluation researched the effect of nanoparticle silicon dioxide, carbon black and singlewalled carbon nanotubes on mice and on human cells from the lining of airway passages. According to the scientists the result was clear and convincing: all types of nanoparticles caused an identical response in human cells and in the lungs of mice, manifesting in transformation of the amino acid arginine into a substance called citrulline which can lead to the development of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

A press release describing the results of the research, led by a team at Trinity College, Dublin, and co-authored with US researchers, can be found at http://www.tcd.ie/Communications/news/pressreleases/pressRelease.php?headerID=2524&pressRelease. The press release contains a link to the published article in the peer-reviewed journal Nanomedicine.