Challenges in Assessing Nanomaterial Toxicology: A Personal Perspective

Details

• Personal Author:
  Castranova, Vincent ; Geraci, Charles L.
• Description:
  Nanotechnology exploits the fact that nanoparticles exhibit unique physicochemical properties, which are distinct from fine-sized particles of the same composition. It follows that nanoparticles may also express distinct bioactivity and unique interactions with biological systems. Therefore, it is essential to assess the potential health risks of exposure to nanoparticles to allow development and implementation of prevention measures. Risk assessment requires data concerning hazard and exposure. Several challenges face the field of nanotoxicology in obtaining the necessary data for assessment of the bioactivity of nanoparticles. They include: (1) the vast number of nanoparticle types to be evaluated, (2) the need to use nanoparticle doses and structure sizes in cellular and animal test systems which are relevant to anticipated workplace exposures, and (3) artifactual in vitro results due to absorption of nutrients or assay indicator compounds from the culture media. This 'opinion' reviews the progress made in the field of nanotoxicology in recent years to overcome these challenges. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Air Pollutants, Occupational Environmental Monitoring Occupational Health Particulate Matter Risk Assessment Safety Toxicology
• Keywords:
  Aerosol-particles Airborne-particles Exposure-assessment Health-protection Nanotechnology Particulates Risk-analysis
• ISSN:
  1939-0041
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EID - Education and Information Division ; HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  2
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20037562
• Citation:
  Wiley Interdiscip Rev. Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2010 Nov/Dec; 2(6):569-577
• Contact Point Address:
  Vincent Castranova, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
• Email:
  Ciu9@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:435ddc97a60662d673be1e385fa7cccb3beba6b41ce9dd808f722de799f8da4e8dd6d018197c8af1ac3e149b0c69bc48aaa4e98e5d4466a95e7da80d371cdc79
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/188635/cdc_188635_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 337.57 KB ]