EMERGING CONCERNS: NANOPARTICLES

Transcription

1 EMERGING CONCERNS: NANOPARTICLES Small Particles, Potentially High Risk Nanoparticles are manufactured to be extremely small (one billionth of a meter) and are generally defined as measuring around nanometers in one dimension. These materials have biological, chemical, and physical properties that differ

2 from those of their larger counterparts. It is due to the alteration of these properties there is concern for public health and safety. Emerging Concerns: Nanoparticles S M A L L P A R T I C L E S, P O T E N T I A L L Y H I G H R I S K RISK AND NANOPARTICLES Nanotechnology has been described by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. ~National Nanotechnology as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. These manipulations of Nanoparticles are leading to new consumer products, materials and applications across many different disciplines. Some of these disciplines include cosmetics, medicine, aerospace, energy and transportation. Nanotechnology and their resulting products will impact almost every walk of life in some way. The long-term health risks of nanoparticles are not well understood, but early studies have suggested that excessive exposure to nanoparticles could cause lung damage, cell toxicity, damage DNA and possibly even harm unborn children i. Cosmetics seem to have been the most studied of the products for consumer production. The diminutive particles can be inhaled or when applied near the mouth ingested into the Page 1

3 body. Once the particles have entered the body they can be absorbed into the blood stream, tissues, organs and even travel across the blood-brain barrier into the brain. As such, scientific communities throughout the globe have recommended that given the growing evidence of serious toxicity risks, more research be done to determine the physical-chemical properties, routes of exposure, uptake and absorption and toxicity thresholds. For example, research ii has shown that production of free radicals by nanoparticles used in sunscreens and cosmetics is greater when exposed to Ultra Violet (UV) light. As a result of this and other research, some European nations have passed new laws that will require most nano-sized ingredients in sunscreens cosmetics to face new safety testing and mandatory labeling. Nano sized particles commonly used include: Aluminum, Titanium Dioxide., Silicon Oxide, and Iron Oxide. In addition to these particles, Carbon Nanotubes, (single walled or multi-walled) have a variety of uses, but one is used to deliver drugs directly to diseased cells. CHARACTERIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF NANO PARTICLES The Corporate facility of EMSL Analytical, Inc. in Cinnaminson, New Jersey is your complete nanoparticle analysis laboratory- with 5 Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) capable of Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDXA) and digital imaging. In addition, EMSL s analytical instrumentation includes, but is not limited to; 3 Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), Auger Electron Spectroscope (AES) and a High Voltage (200kV) Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) all equipped with state of the art Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyzers (EDXA). EMSL Analytical, Inc. has conducted Page 2

4 Emerging Concerns: Nanoparticles nanoparticle studies for the Federal Government as well as Fortune 500 Industrial customers- so rest assured that your project would receive the scientific attention and expertise it deserves. At EMSL Analytical, Inc. our scientists harness the power of our diverse inventory of scientific instrumentation to identify and quantitate your Nanoparticles or Carbon Nanotubes: Morphology Chemical Composition Particle Size Distribution Presence as an environmental contamination Call one of our sales representatives to discuss the parameters of your project. CHARACTERIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF NANO PARTICLES Page 3

5 i A. Grassian V, Adamcakova-Dodd A, Pettibone J, O Shaughnessy P, Thorne P Inflammatory response of mice to manufactured titanium dioxide nanoparticles: Comparison of size effects through different exposure routes. Nanotoxicology, 1(3): B. Chen L, Yokel R, Hennig B, Toborek M. (2008). Manufactured Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles Decrease Expression of Tight Junction Proteins in Brain Vasculature. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2008) 3: ; C. Long T, Saleh N, Tilton R, Lowry G, Veronesi B Titanium dioxide (P25) produces reactive oxygen species in immortalized brain microglia (BV2): Implications for nanoparticle neurotoxicity. Environ Sci Technol 40(14): ; Sayes C, Wahi R, Kurian P, Liu Y, West J, Ausman K, Warheit D, Colvin V Correlating nanoscale titania structure with toxicity: A cytotoxicity and inflammatory response study with human dermal fibroblasts and human lung epithelial cells. Toxicol Sci 92(1): D. Soto K, Carrasco A, Powell T,Garza K, Murr L (2005). Comparative in vitro cytotoxicity assessment of some manufactured nanoparticulate materials characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 7: ; E. Donaldson K, Beswick P, Gilmour P Free radical activity associated with the surface of particles: a unifying factor in determining biological activity? Toxicol Lett 88: , F. Hougaard K, Jackson P, Jensen K, Vogel U, Wallin H (2009). Nano-sized titanium dioxide: Effects of gestational exposure. Reproductive Toxicology 28, p122; G. Shimizu M, Tainaka H, Oba T, Mizuo K, Umezawa M, Takeda K Maternal exposure to nanoparticulate titanium dioxide during the prenatal period alters gene expression related to brain development in the mouse. Particle and Fibre Toxicology 2009, 6:20; Takeda K, Suzuki K,Ishihara A, Kubo-Irie M, Fujimoto R, Tabata M, Oshio S, Nihei Y, Ihara T, Sugamata M Nanoparticles transferred from pregnant mice to their offspring can damage the genital and cranial nerve systems. J Health Sci 55(1): ii Dunford R, Salinaro A, Cai L, Serpone N, Horikoshi S, Hidaka H, Knowland J Chemical oxidation and DNA damage catalysed by inorganic sunscreen ingredients. FEBS Lett 418:87-90 Page 4