Current State of Knowledge on the Health Effects of Engineered Nanomaterials in Workers: A Systematic Review of Human Studies and Epidemiological Investigations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Iavicoli I ; Leso V ; Niang M ; Schulte, Paul A.
• Description:
  Objectives: The widespread application of nano-enabled products and the increasing likelihood for workplace exposures make understanding engineered nanomaterial (ENM) effects in exposed workers a public and occupational health priority. The aim of this study was to report on the current state of knowledge on possible adverse effects induced by ENM in humans to determine the toxicological profile of each type of ENM and potential biomarkers for early detection of such effects in workers. Methods: A systematic review of human studies and epidemiological investigations of exposed workers relative to the possible adverse effects for the most widely used ENM was performed through searches of major scientific databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Results: Twenty-seven studies were identified. Most of the epidemiological investigations were cross-sectional. The review found limited evidence of adverse effects in workers exposed to the most commonly used ENM. However, some biological alterations are suggestive for possible adverse impacts. The primary targets of some ENM exposures were the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Changes in biomarker levels compared with controls were also observed; however, limited exposure data and the relatively short period since the first exposure may have influenced the incidence of adverse effects found in epidemiological studies. Conclusions: There is a need for longitudinal epidemiologic investigations with clear exposure characterizations for various ENM to discover potential adverse health effects and identify possible indicators of early biological alterations. In this state of uncertainty, precautionary controls for each ENM are warranted while further study of potential health effects continues. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomarkers Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Animal Investigation Biological Monitoring Carbon Nanotube Carbon Nanotubes CNT Epidemiological Study Exposure Exposure Levels Health Effects Human Health Consequence Nanomaterials Nanoparticle Nanoparticle Impact Nanoparticles Nanotechnology Occupational Exposure Occupational Risk Management Workforce Risk Factors Toxic Effects Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  0355-3140
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EID - Education and Information Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  217-238
• Volume:
  45
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054475
• Citation:
  Scand J Work Environ Health 2019 May; 45(3):217-238
• Contact Point Address:
  Paul A. Schulte, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1150 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-14, Cincinnati, OH 45226
• Email:
  pas4@cdc.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Carbon nanotubes (CAS RN 308068-56-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:80e8a70d4f08b4858215f3c56ef8832e7d88f46ad7482be15d3a33e40683c2679479cd22f2e6fd4a71c60fca772339578d5c9c77577ffbf8f280d33092fefce3
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217032/cdc_217032_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 493.93 KB ]