Nanoparticle interactions with co-existing contaminants: joint toxicity, bioaccumulation and risk

Abstract

With their growing production and application, engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly discharged into the environment. The released NPs can potentially interact with pre-existing contaminants, leading to biological effects (bioaccumulation and/or toxicity) that are poorly understood. Most studies on NPs focus on single analyte exposure; the existing literature on joint toxicity of NPs and co-existing contaminants is rather limited but beginning to develop rapidly. This is the first review paper evaluating the current state of knowledge regarding the joint effects of NPs and co-contaminants. Here, we review: (1) methods for investigating and evaluating joint effects of NPs and co-contaminants; (2) simultaneous toxicities from NPs co-exposed with organic contaminants, metal/metalloid ions, dissolved organic matter (DOM), inorganic ligands and additional NPs; and (3) the influence of NPs co-exposure on the bioaccumulation of organic contaminants and heavy metal ions, as well as the influence of contaminants on NPs bioaccumulation. In addition, future research needs are discussed so as to better understand risk associated with NPs-contaminant co-exposure.

Unravelling the Potential Cytotoxic Effects of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Metal(Loid) Mixtures on A549 Human Cell Line

“…Limited data of multiple NPs exposure is available [55]. The results of this study show that CeO 2 NP yielded an antagonistic cytotoxicity on TiO 2 NP, but more evident effects were observed for the longer exposure period, where the mixture toxicity was altered.…”

“…The state-of-the-art shows that combined exposure to multiple chemicals often results in different toxicity to that of the individual substances [55]. Hence, it is imperative to recognize and address the risks from exposure to multiple chemicals in a more systematic way, as consistently drawn attention by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) [56], and Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) [57].…”

Antimicrobial engineered nanoparticles in the built cultural heritage context and their ecotoxicological impact on animals and plants: a brief review

“…The presence of existing contaminants may decrease bioavailability of the active metal ions by complex formation, aggregation, or absorption, thus reducing environmental toxicity; on the other hand, they may have synergistic effects, increasing the ecotoxicological risk [113,114]. Deng et al [115] pointed out that NPs released into water bodies may react with organic contaminants, metal/metalloid ions, dissolved organic matter, inorganic ligands and other NPs, as well as influencing the bioaccumulation of organic contaminants and heavy metal ions. Zhang et al [116] reported that TiO 2 NPs had a synergistic inhibitory effect with atrazine against the alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa, an additive effect with pentachlorobenzene, and an antagonistic effect for hexachlorobenzene and 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl.…”

Safety Issue of Changed Nanotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in the Multicomponent System

“…Tong et al suggest that the fate and toxicity potential of soluble ENMs, such as ZnO NPs, are likely to be influenced by the presence of other stable ENMs, such as TiO 2 NPs, the combined effects of ZnO dissolution and Zn adsorption onto TiO 2 NPs control the concentration of dissolved zinc . Actually, there are many great researches about the interaction of nanoparticles, especially when they become pollutants in the environment . It is necessary to investigate the potential side‐effects of these food‐borne NPs on intestinal cells and to mechanistically understand the observed biological responses .…”