Scientists have uncovered a largely overlooked form of air pollution hiding in plain sight. A new study finds that methylsiloxanes, silicone-based compounds used in everything from cosmetics to industrial lubricants, are far more widespread in the atmosphere than previously recognized.
More research is needed. It is foolish to automatically assume that a pollutant is harmful until it is proven harmful. We will never be able to maintain a tolerable way of life and remove all possible pollutants.
toxicology has been intensively examined. "The inertness of silicones toward warmblooded animals has been demonstrated in a number of tests." With an LD50 in rats of >50 g/kg, they are virtually nontoxic. Questions remain however about chronic toxicity or the consequences of bioaccumulation since siloxanes can be long-lived.
6 Comments
BeigeAgenda@lemmy.ca · 14 pts · 139d
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydimethylsiloxane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siloxane
Revolutionary_Apples@lemmy.ml · -3 pts · 139d
More research is needed. It is foolish to automatically assume that a pollutant is harmful until it is proven harmful. We will never be able to maintain a tolerable way of life and remove all possible pollutants.
nymnympseudonym@piefed.social · 14 pts · 139d
No offense but please tell me you do not have any regulatory responsiblity.
Revolutionary_Apples@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 136d
It is foolish. This is fear mongering. Take it seriously but with a grain of salt.
nymnympseudonym@piefed.social · 7 pts · 139d
Per Wikipedia, emphasis mine:
Revolutionary_Apples@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 136d
In other words, they are literally telling us that more tests are needed.