Evaluation of Ecotoxicology Assessment Methods of Nanomaterials and Their Effects

Abstract

This paper describes the ecotoxicological effects of nanomaterials (NMs) as well as their testing methods. Standard ecotoxicity testing methods are applicable to nanomaterials as well but require some adaptation. We have taken into account methods that meet several conditions. They must be properly researched by a minimum of ten scientific articles where adaptation of the method to the NMs is also presented; use organisms suitable for simple and rapid ecotoxicity testing (SSRET); have a test period shorter than 30 days; require no special equipment; have low costs and have the possibility of optimization for high-throughput screening. From the standard assays described in guidelines developed by organizations such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and United States Environmental Protection Agency, which meet the required conditions, we selected as methods adaptable for NMs, some methods based on algae, duckweed, amphipods, daphnids, chironomids, terrestrial plants, nematodes and earthworms. By analyzing the effects of NMs on a wide range of organisms, it has been observed that these effects can be of several categories, such as behavioral, morphological, cellular, molecular or genetic effects. By comparing the EC50 values of some NMs it has been observed that such values are available mainly for aquatic ecotoxicity, with the most sensitive test being the algae assay. The most toxic NMs overall were the silver NMs.

Nanotoxicology and Nanosafety: Safety-by-Design and Testing at a Glance

“…During the contact with animals, the variation of the NMs concentration allows to calculate statistically the indicators that will allow the comparison of toxicity between different nanomaterials and/or between nanomaterials and traditional chemical substances. The most used evaluation parameters are [12,77] the LC 50 (i.e., concentration of nanomaterial that causes the death of 50% of the population, LOEC (i.e., low concentration that causes a noticeable effect on the organism), and NOEC (i.e., maximum concentration, at which no effect is observed on the organisms). Moreover, experimental animal trials have advantages, with one of the important ones being the assessment of the kinetics of nanoparticles through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).…”

“…If it is necessary to carry out in vitro and/or in vivo experiments in order to assess the effects, other procedures to characterize the NMs under study may also be recommended. This includes collecting information on the most relevant physicochemical parameters that may influence the toxicity, i.e., size distribution, aggregation/agglomeration status, shape, surface area, reactivity, water solubility, surface properties, and long-term stability [ 11 , 12 ]. Step 2 includes the identification of all potential sources of exposure [ 13 ].…”

Cu Nanoparticle-Loaded Nanovesicles with Antibiofilm Properties. Part I: Synthesis of New Hybrid Nanostructures

“…The application of our hybrid synergistic systems in the fight against antibiotic-resistant biofilms is envisaged, mostly in the cases where the use of vesicular systems might be beneficial when compared with the use of unprotected nanophases. While safety regulations are generally posing severe limits to the use of ultrafine NPs [52], the same does not apply to NVs with sizes in the range of 100 to 1000 nm, like those of the present study.…”

Effect of Engineered Nickel Oxide Nanoparticle on Reactive Oxygen Species–Nitric Oxide Interplay in the Roots of Allium cepa L.

“…The present experimental parameters accommodated a wide range of NiO-NP concentrations (10–500 mg L –1 ) keeping in mind their natural distribution and concentrations of Ni encountered in nature, which could go up to 1,600 mg kg –1 in coalfields 3 . It was noteworthy that A. cepa , the chosen plant model, did not show documentable disruption in cellular functions at lower doses of NiO-NP (below 10 mg L –1 ) and almost 100% cell death at concentrations higher than 500 mg L –1 after an exposure of 24 h. A. cepa is a popular choice for the detection of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of any xenobiotic compound as endorsed by the various international organizations of repute like UNEP, USEPA, and OECD ( Boros and Ostafe, 2020 ) 4 . It is easily available and fast-growing and shows uniform growth and comparable effects that can be extrapolated to mammalian systems.…”

“…Plant systems are, thus, particularly vulnerable to sudden fluxes of NiO-NP in soil, water, or aerosol ( Ovais et al, 2020 ). Allium cepa ( A. cepa ), the acclaimed ecotoxicological model plant, not only provides the opportunity to study the toxicological effects of environmental pollutants but also can be used to assess the risk of magnification, as it is cultivated widely to be consumed even in raw and unprocessed forms ( Boros and Ostafe, 2020 ).…”