Combustion-derived nanoparticles: A review of their toxicology following inhalation exposure

Abstract

This review considers the molecular toxicology of combustion-derived nanoparticles (CDNP) following inhalation exposure. CDNP originate from a number of sources and in this review we consider diesel soot, welding fume, carbon black and coal fly ash. A substantial literature demonstrates that these pose a hazard to the lungs through their potential to cause oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer; they also have the potential to redistribute to other organs following pulmonary deposition. These different CDNP show considerable heterogeneity in composition and solubility, meaning that oxidative stress may originate from different components depending on the particle under consideration. Key CDNP-associated properties of large surface area and the presence of metals and organics all have the potential to produce oxidative stress. CDNP may also exert genotoxic effects, depending on their composition. CDNP and their components also have the potential to translocate to the brain and also the blood, and thereby reach other targets such as the cardiovascular system, spleen and liver. CDNP therefore can be seen as a group of particulate toxins unified by a common mechanism of injury and properties of translocation which have the potential to mediate a range of adverse effects in the lungs and other organs and warrant further research.

Comparison of Nanoparticle Exposure Levels Based on Facility Type—Small-Scale Laboratories, Large-Scale Manufacturing Workplaces, and Unintended Nanoparticle-Emitting Workplaces

“…UNP workplaces showed the highest concentration for all measured metrics, which differed significantly compared to those at LAB and ENP. Welding is a well-known source of nanoparticles, and welding fumes could lead to adverse health effects (Yoon et al, 2003;Donaldson et al, 2005). Smelting showed the highest nanoparticle concentration (CPC: 50,826 particles cm -3 ) in this study.…”

Zinc Sulphate and Nano-Zinc Oxide Effects on Some Physiological Parameters of Rosmarinus officinalis

“…Zinc nutrient element is involved as cofactors in the activation of many enzymes on the biosynthetic pathway of secondary metabolites [8]. Nanotechnology is accurate and controlled manipulation of atomic or molecular structure of materials to produce nanoscale tiny particles with new features and special applications [11]. Nanometals features with more contact area and high surface energy may be totally different from characteristics of base metals [12].…”

Approaches to safe nanotechnology: managing the health and safety concerns associated with engineered nanomaterials (withdrawn).

“…These hypotheses are based on the scientific literature of particle exposures in animals and humans. This literature has been recently reviewed [Donaldson et al 2005;Maynard and Kuempel 2005;Oberdörster et al 2005a, Donaldson et al 2006Kreyling et al 2006]. In general, the particles used in past studies have not been characterized to the extent recommended for new studies in order to more fully understand the physicochemical properties of the particles that influence toxicity [Oberdörst-er et al 2005b;Thomas et al 2006].…”