Nanoparticles in everyday items harmful for hearts

TINY “nanoparticles” found in diesel fumes and a host of everyday products, ranging from cosmetics to paint, have direct and potentially dangerous effects on the heart, a study has shown.

An experiment by German scientists confirmed certain small-scale chemical particles can increase heart rate, upset heart rhythms and interfere with the heart’s electrical activity.

Professor Reinhard Niessner’s team used an isolated rodent heart flushed with artificial blood to test for effects on heart function.