55
Scientists Raise Concerns Over Newly Recognized Pollutant Found Everywhere in the Air (scitechdaily.com)
submitted 6 months ago by to c/science@lemmy.ml
6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

all 6 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 14 points 6 months ago

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.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydimethylsiloxane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siloxane

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] -2 points 6 months ago (4 children)

    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.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 7 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Per Wikipedia, emphasis mine:

    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.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •