Understanding Toxicity Associated with Boron Nitride Nanotubes: Review of Toxicity Studies, Exposure Assessment at Manufacturing Facilities, and Read-Across

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dunn, Kevin L. ; Erdely A ; Friend S ; Gill R ; Glassford, Eric ; Kodali V ; Roberts, Jennifer R.
• Description:
  Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) are produced by many different methods leading to variances in physicochemical characteristics and impurities in the final product. These differences can alter the toxicity profile. The importance of understanding the potential pathological implications of this high aspect ratio nanomaterial is increasing as new approaches to synthesize and purify in large scale are being developed. In this review, we discuss the various factors of BNNT production that can influence its toxicity followed by summarizing the toxicity findings from in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to date, including a review of particle clearance observed with various exposure routes. To understand the risk to workers and interpret relevance of toxicological findings, exposure assessment at manufacturing facilities was discussed. Workplace exposure assessment of BNNT from two manufacturing facilities measured boron concentrations in personal breathing zones from non-detectable to 0.95 µg/m3 and TEM structure counts of 0.0123 +/- 0.0094 structures/cm3, concentrations well below what was found with other engineered high aspect ratio nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. Finally, using a purified BNNT, a "read-across" toxicity assessment was performed to demonstrate how known hazard data and physicochemical characteristics can be utilized to evaluate potential inhalation toxicity concerns. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Hazardous Substances Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Health Pathology Safety Toxicology
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Boron Nitride Nanotubes Boron Nitride Breathing Zone Clearance Exposure Assessment In Vivo Studies Manufacturing Nanofibers Nanomaterials Occupational Exposure Assessment Physiological Chemistry Read-across Toxicity

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• ISSN:
  0884-2914
• 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:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division ; DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  37
• Issue:
  24
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066351
• Citation:
  J Mater Res 2022 Dec; 37(24):4620-4638
• Contact Point Address:
  Vamsi Kodali, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506
• Email:
  ywu0@cdc.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Boron nitride (CAS RN 10043-11-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction ; Manufacturing ; Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Materials Research
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d307ec30f26341c8d6fdd5fa6b21229d3ef533f05d4dc9e1be0b829229eab7bbef8594658bf3e11c31c0a9294e7b4bb56f95a2812fcc6a7ab1f3eaa8d9c87fe1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212817/cdc_212817_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.06 MB ]