Nanoparticles, nanotechnology and pulmonary nanotoxicology

Abstract

The recently emergent field of Nanotechnology involves the production and use of structures at the nanoscale. Research at atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, has led to new materials, systems and structures on a scale consisting of particles less than 100 nm and showing unique and unusual physical, chemical and biological properties, which has enabled new applications in diverse fields, creating a multimillion-dollar high-tech industry. Nanotechnologies have a wide variety of uses from nanomedicine, consumer goods, electronics, communications and computing to environmental applications, efficient energy sources, agriculture, water purification, textiles, and aerospace industry, among many others. The different characteristics of nanoparticles such as size, shape, surface charge, chemical properties, solubility and degree of agglomeration will determine their effects on biological systems and human health, and the likelihood of respiratory hazards. There are a number of new studies about the potential occupational and environmental effects of nanoparticles and general precautionary measures are now fully justified. Adverse respiratory effects include multifocal granulomas, peribronchial inflammation, progressive interstitial fibrosis, chronic inflammatory responses, collagen deposition and oxidative stress. The authors present an overview of the most important studies about respiratory nanotoxicology and the effects of nanoparticles and engineered nanomaterials on the respiratory system.

Exposure of Children to Ultrafine Particles in Primary Schools in Portugal

“…School 5 (S5) was the only school that cooked meals for children, which may be the source of such high levels of indoor UFP due to combustion activity associated with cooking (Zhang et al, 2012;Ferreira et al, 2013). The type of the outdoor environment may also exert influence on the potential UFP levels.…”

“…Moreover, UFP have been associated with more severe toxicity when compared to fine and coarse particles due to their ability to penetrate cell membranes (Peters et al, 1997;Penttinen et al, 2001;Semmler et al, 2004;Carosino et al, 2015). Results from previous studies suggested that prolonged exposure to high number concentrations of UFP may be responsible for an impairment of lung function and/or development and exacerbation of respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Terzano et al, 2010;Stanek et al, 2011;Slezakova et al, 2012;Ferreira et al, 2013;Carosino et al, 2015). In addition, children tend to be more susceptible to UFP toxicity when compared to adults, particularly due to their undeveloped immune and respiratory systems (Schwartz 2004;Foos et al, 2008).…”

Children exposure to indoor ultrafine particles in urban and rural school environments

“…UFPs have been associated with a stronger toxicity when compared to PM2.5 and PM10 due to their proficiency for penetrating cell membranes (Penttinen et al 2001, Peters et al 1997, Semmler et al 2004. Moreover, results from previous studies suggest that long-term exposure to high number concentrations of UFPs may be responsible for an impairment of lung function, development and exacerbation of respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and may be even responsible for some carcinogenic activity, among other adverse health effects (Alessandrini et al 2009, Alessandrini et al 2006, Andersen et al 2010, Ferreira et al 2013, Stanek et al 2011.…”

A New Era of Pulmonary Delivery of Nano-antimicrobial Therapeutics to Treat Chronic Pulmonary Infections

“…Varied delivery system engineering parameters, such as shape, size, materials, aggregation state, surface charge, chemical properties, formulation, etc. may each affect the toxicity profiles [110]. The small size of these new delivery systems imparts them with new physical and chemical properties different from conventional bulk drug powders [111].…”