Overview of current toxicological knowledge of engineered nanoparticles

Details

• Personal Author:
  Castranova, Vincent
• Description:
  Objective: Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce nanoparticles with unique properties, allowing newcommercial applications. Since nanoparticles exhibit unique physicochemical properties, they are likely to exhibit biological activity significantly different from fine-sized particles of the same chemical composition. Therefore, evaluation of the biological effects of nanoparticles is critical. Methods: The article lists the major objectives of nanotoxicology and briefly reviews the literature concerning biological responses to pulmonary exposure. Results: Interactions of nanoparticles with biological systems depend on particle size, shape, oxidant generation, surface functionalization, and rate of dissolution. Pulmonary, cardiovascular, and central nervous system responses to pulmonary exposure to nanotitanium dioxide and carbon nanotubes are described. Conclusions: Significant biological responses occur in animal models after pulmonary exposure to certain nanoparticles. Control of exposure appears prudent to protect worker health. Clinical Significance: Nanotechnology is synthesizing a wide range of nanoparticles, which exhibit unique physicochemical properties. These unique properties make unique biological activity likely. If certain nanoparticles induce adverse effects in vitro or in animal models, then occupational health surveillance and exposure control may be prudent steps in the protection of worker health. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biochemistry Environmental Monitoring Hazardous Substances Irritants Lung Lung Diseases Microbiology Occupational Health Particulate Matter Respiratory Hypersensitivity Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Toxicology

  More +
• Keywords:
  Air-sampling-techniques Biochemical-analysis Biohazards Biological-effects Biological-monitoring Exposure-assessment Exposure-levels Exposure-methods Hazardous-materials Health-hazards Lung-disorders Lung-irritants Microscopic-analysis Nanotechnology Particle-aerodynamics Particulate-sampling-methods Particulates Pulmonary-system Pulmonary-system-disorders Respiratory-hypersensitivity Respiratory-irritants Statistical-analysis Surveillance-programs Toxic-materials

  More +
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  53
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20038878
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2011 Jun; 53(6S):S14-S17
• Contact Point Address:
  Vincent Castranova, PhD, NIOSH, HELD, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505
• Email:
  vic1@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Supplement:
  6S
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fc995322c84e318ef0061425f6225cbfe94da579e0153d006ed539327af1b2a31e91202f59d075d4af9c7a95c15610b52d2efed830e57b8f80c7c076ccd95e13
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/192419/cdc_192419_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 72.26 KB ]