Pulmonary effects of different sized and oxidized forms of graphene nanoparticles

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fedan, Jeffery S. ; Roberts, Jennifer R. ; Sager T ; Thompson JA
• Description:
  Risk of graphene (Gr) nanoparticle inhalation by workers during the manufacture of composite materials is a growing concern as new graphene nanomaterials are generated and utilized. Gr-induced cytotoxicity in vitro (PC12 cells, fibroblasts) and lung inflammation in vivo have been demonstrated, and Roberts et al (2013) showed that lung inflammation was increased up to 7 d after aspiration of non-oxidized Gr particles with lateral dimensions >5 microM and greater number of layers (approximately 20) compared with that of smaller particles (<1 microM, approximately 4 layers). We reported previously that a single exposure of graphene [5 microm lateral x 7-10 nm thick (Gr5)] transiently increased lung resistance (RL), dynamic lung compliance (CDyn) and reactivity to inhaled methacholine (MCh) in mice. In this study we examined the effects two additional sizes of non-oxidized Gr particles [20 microm lateral x 7-10 nm thick (Gr20), and <2 microm lateral x 1-2 nm thick (Gr1)] as well as a reduced form of oxidized Gr (rGO), on basal RL and CDyn and reactivity to inhaled methacholine (MCh). Mice were given 40 microg Gr (Gr1, Gr20 or rGO) suspended in dispersion medium (DM; control) via aspiration. Basal levels and RL and CDyn responses to increasing concentrations of inhaled MCh were measured 4 h - 2 mo after Gr exposure. Gr1 increased basal RL on day 7 and basal RL decreased at 2 mo. Gr1 increased Cdyn responses to MCh 1 mo post-exposure, which returned to control levels at 2 mo. However, basal Cdyn was increased by 2 mo post-exposure. Gr20 increased Cdyn responses to MCh 1 mo post-exposure, but Cdyn returned to control by 2 mo. rGO had no effect on basal RL or Cdyn, nor MCh reactivity. Our results indicate that exposure to non-oxidized Gr nanoparticles resulted in transient changes in RL or Cdyn responses to MCh, while the reduced form rGO had no significant effect on airway reactivity or basal RL or Cdyn. Basal Cdyn was increased 2 mo after exposure to Gr1. Our findings suggest that the pulmonary effects of graphenes are influenced by particle size, number of layers and oxidative/reduced state. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cytotoxins Environmental Exposure Laboratories Lung Methacholine Compounds Occupational Health Particulate Matter Respiratory System Safety Toxicology
• Keywords:
  Airway Resistance Cytotoxic Effects Cytotoxicity Dispersion Exposure Assessment Exposure Levels Graphene Inhalation Laboratory Animals Laboratory Testing Lung Function Methacholines Nanoparticles Nanotechnology Oxidation Particle Size Pulmonary Effects Pulmonary System

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• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Louisiana ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; 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:
  150
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20047821
• Citation:
  Toxicologist 2016 Mar; 150(1):584
• CAS Registry Number:
  Graphene (CAS RN 1034343-98-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Oil and Gas Extraction
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  The Toxicologist. Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, March 13-17, 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ef3e692c5018aacb99f36b5b1d7485f3e25f03ec4880fdbb5c0cd863b515d4dc4e05cfb0e58898acc38aef66e2a0d975c73a8355b420ad3f16e45a346aeb6127
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/202789/cdc_202789_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 442.23 KB ]