Release of airborne particles and Ag and Zn compounds from nanotechnology-enabled consumer sprays: Implications for inhalation exposure

Abstract

The increasing prevalence and use of nanotechnology-enabled consumer products have increased potential consumer exposures to nanoparticles; however, there is still a lack of data characterizing such consumer exposure. The research reported here investigated near-field airborne exposures due to the use of 13 silver (Ag)-based and 5 zinc (Zn)-based consumer sprays. The products were sprayed into a specially designed glove box, and all products were applied with equal spraying duration and frequency. Size distribution and concentration of the released particles were assessed using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer and an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to investigate the presence of metals in all investigated products. Spray liquids and airborne particles from select products were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). We found that all sprays produced airborne particles ranging in size from nano-sized particles (<100 nm) to coarse particles (>2.5 µm); however, there was a substantial variation in the released particle concentration depending on a product. The total aerosol mass concentration was dominated by the presence of coarse particles, and it ranged from ~30 µg/m 3 to ~30,000 µg/m 3 . The TEM verified the presence of nanoparticles and their agglomerates in liquid and airborne states. The products were found to contain not only Ag and Zn compounds -as advertised on the product labeling -but also a variety of other metals including lithium, strontium, barium, lead, manganese and others. The results presented here can be used as input to model population exposures as well as form a basis for human health effects studies due to the use nanotechnology-enabled products.

Inactivation of pure bacterial biofilms by impaction of aerosolized consumer products containing nanoparticulate metals

“…The final six nanoproducts were also chosen to represent different categories of use, like cleaning products, cosmetics, and alternative medicine supplements. All selected products are part of our larger study investigating potential consumer exposures to silver and zinc based nanotechnology-enabled consumer products 39 . As this research is the first step investigating microbial impacts of nanotechnology-enabled consumer products, we did not include all of the consumer nanoproducts we have collected over the course of this larger research project.…”

“…Table 1 describes the six nanospray products chosen for this study. Hence, the nanoproduct codes are not in a consecutive order for this paper but reflect our total collection of nanoproducts under study for various projects 39 .…”

Silver nanoparticles as an effective disinfectant: A review

“…Therefore, the releases of airborne particles and silver compounds from nanotechnology-based sprays have studied in the context of model population exposure and human health effect. Thus air quality has improved by using Ag NPs incorporated in various supporting materials without affecting the air filtration efficiency [28,29]. Thus air quality has improved by using Ag NPs incorporated in various supporting materials without affecting the air filtration efficiency.…”

Toxicokinetics and toxicity of nanoparticles in the course of inhalation exposure

“…Z roku na rok odnotowuje się stały wzrost liczby produktów opartych na nanotechnologii, swobodnie wprowadzanych na rynek, przy braku szczegółowych regulacji w zakresie rodzaju i zawartości cząstek nanometrycznych. Narażenie inhalacyjne na NPs rozpylone we wdychanym powietrzu może występować podczas zamierzonego stosowania takich produktów konsumenckich w postaci aerozoli, jak i w efekcie emisji NPs podczas eksploatacji różnych urządzeń udoskonalonych nanotechnologią [13]. Wśród produktów medycznych i konsumenckich zawierających NPs na rynku dominują te oparte na srebrze (AgNPs), złocie (AuNPs), dwutlenku tytanu (TiO 2 NPs), krzemionce (SiO 2 NPs) i tlenkach żelaza (IONPs) w nanoskali.…”